An auctioneer in Somerset is poised to offer enthusiasts and collectors alike a remarkable artifact: the split boxing glove purportedly worn by Muhammad Ali during his legendary 1963 bout with Henry Cooper. Stuart Bull of Chard Auctions has stepped into the spotlight with a bold claim, asserting that he possesses the genuine left glove from this iconic match. With a guide price set between £300,000 to £500,000, the auction promises to be a significant event in the world of sports memorabilia.
The glove’s backstory is steeped in boxing lore, with its notoriety stemming from an alleged strategic maneuver by Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee. According to accounts, Dundee widened a rip in the glove to buy precious time for his fighter, then known as Cassius Clay, after he suffered a knockdown from Cooper. This act of ingenuity, immortalized in boxing history, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the glove’s provenance.
While a pair of gloves featuring a similar split, purportedly from the same fight, fetched £37,600 at Christie’s in 2001, Bull is confident that his glove is the genuine article. He points to compelling evidence and documentation supporting its authenticity, instilling confidence in potential buyers.
The glove’s journey from the ring to the auction block is a tale in itself. Bull asserts that after the fight, the glove was returned to its maker, Baily’s, a renowned boxing equipment manufacturer based in Glastonbury. Subsequently, Cooper purportedly signed the glove in the 1980s, adding another layer of provenance to its storied history.
The glove remained under the custodianship of Baily’s until it found its way into the hands of Richard Mayers, the late managing director. Mayers, recognizing the significance of the artifact, entrusted it to his partner, who has now decided to part ways with it. Simon Hawkins, the partner’s son from Devon, has taken up the mantle of selling this piece of history to the highest bidder.
Accompanying the glove is a handwritten letter penned by Mayers, declaring its authenticity and underscoring its significance in the realm of sports memorabilia. By presenting the torn glove to the referee, Dundee managed to secure invaluable recovery time for Ali, a move that ultimately led to his victory over his British adversary.
Despite the buzz surrounding the auction, Christie’s, the renowned auction house, has chosen to remain tight-lipped on the matter, declining to comment.
Bull, however, is undeterred by the silence of the auction giants. He expresses his excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming sale, buoyed by his unwavering belief in the glove’s authenticity and the opportunity to showcase it to the world. As the auction date draws near, anticipation mounts among collectors and boxing aficionados alike, eager to witness the culmination of this extraordinary chapter in sports history.
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