Welcome to Lelands - Sports Memorabilia and Card Auctions

Lot # 1416: Incredibly Rare 1975 Muhammad Ali vs. Chuck Wepner On-Site Poster

Starting Bid: $750.00

Bids: 5 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Spring Classic",
which ran from 4/2/2023 7:00 PM to
4/22/2023 10:00 PM



Incredibly rare on-site fight poster heralds the "Chance of a Lifetime" title fight between Champion Muhammad Ali and feisty challenger Chuck Wepner on March 24, 1975. Visible portion of the black and white poster is approximately 13x21" with an illustration of the Greatest. This was to be Ali's first fight after his stunning "Rope-a-Dope" inspired victory over George Foreman in Zaire, and the promotional line mentioned above speaks to the lone selling point for a bout in which the challenger was a prohibitive underdog. A hole from posting is at top center and some general wear is evident. Framed to approximately 22x29" the frame has a clear back, with the previously blank side reading (for unknown reasons), "If you have tickets for Thursday please exchange them at the box office" in bold green marker. Ali prevailed over the man aptly nicknamed "the Bayonne Bleeder" via a 15th round technical knockout, though Wepner's small victories included a controversial 9th round "knockdown," and his heroic effort being credited as Sylvester Stallone's inspiration in creating the cinematic underdog Rocky Balboa.

Views: 278