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Lot # 455: Sugar Ray Leonard Pro Debut Fight Gloves

Starting Bid: $5,000.00

Bids: 0 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed

Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall 2012 Catalog Auction",
which ran from 11/19/2012 12:00 AM to
12/21/2012 9:00 PM



By the time Sugar Ray Leonard ever donned a professional boxing glove, he was already a household name and media darling. Leonard ended a stellar amateur career by winning a Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics in 1976. He turned professional the following year, with his first pro fight pitting him against a tough welterweight named Luis "the Bull" Vega. The fight was set in Baltimore near Leonard's hometown on February 5, 1977. Leonard dominated using his incredible hand and foot speed, and won a unanimous, six-round decision. Following the fight, Leonard donated his gloves to a local gym owner named Joe Poodles, who had operated a bar and gym in Baltimore from the early days of the 20th century. Offered here are the gloves used by Leonard in that debut. These worn gloves consist of red leather with an Everlast label on each wrist. They also include part of the original white laces. Each glove has been signed across the backhand by Sugar Ray Leonard. These gloves have been in the family of Joe Poodles until this year, when they were passed down to his daughter and then his grandson, who has supplied a detailed letter of authenticity for the gloves. The grandson had Leonard sign the gloves and acknowledged Leonard confirming them to be not only the manufacturer and size of his gloves, but also attempting to purchase them back from the family. Come with a letter of authenticity from Craig Hamilton of JO Sports, Inc., and a photograph of Leonard wearing the gloves in the ring against Vega. Further, the winning bidder will be supplied a DVD of the fight, further showing Sugar Ray Leonard wearing the gloves. Many experts consider Ray Leonard to be one of the top three fighters of the past 50 years, and some believe there was none better. Extremely rare offering as very little equipment of this great fighter ever comes to public sale.

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