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Lot # 1078: 1976 Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Robe vs. Jean-Pierre Coopman

Starting Bid: $20,000.00

Bids: 4 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer 2015 Catalog Auction",
which ran from 6/18/2015 9:30 AM to
7/17/2015 9:00 PM



On February 20, 1976 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali fought Jean Pierre Coopman. Ali dominated this fight from the outset and won by knockout in the 5th round. This marked Ali's fifth successful heavyweight title defense after winning it from George Foreman in 1974. In an effort to brush off the pre-match punditry, Coopman’s trainer, Charles de Jager, had claimed that the Belgian would be immune from Ali’s brilliant linguistic psych-outs by virtue of not understanding them. Unfortunately for Coopman, the language barrier proved an unsuccessful deterrent to the barrage of thunderous right hooks executed squarely upon his exposed flank. Offered here is the original robe worn by Muhammad Ali for this fight. This robe is a full length, white satin robe with green and red trim. The interior is white terrycloth. On the front there are two waist pockets and a single pocket at the left breast with an Everlast manufacturing label which includes the logo, MADE EXPRESSLY FOR MUHAMMAD ALI. There is no hood. Includes the original white sash. On the back are sewn the words, MUHAMMAD ALI, in green lettering. The robe is perfectly intact and exhibits only minor soiling. Attached to the robe is a tag with inventory number which identifies the robe as being part of the late 1980s famous Bundini Brown "locker" sale which disposed of numerous items worn by Muhammad Ali and retained by his notable assistant trainer. This robe has been matched to video showing Ali wearing it before and after the fight with Coopman. Full letter from Craig Hamilton of JO Sports, Inc. who researched this robe for this auction.

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