Professional boxing is no more than an adjunct to North America's "big four" mainstream sports in the 21st century, but as teams and leagues become ever more reliant on digital dissemination of their news, stats and promotional material, the sweet science doggedly perseveres in preserving the most enduring "I was there" artifact in the realm of sports collecting: the printed … [Read more...] about 15 of the Best Heavyweight Championship Boxing Programs
boxing memorabilia
Muhammad Ali, Jack Johnson Collection Headlines Boxing Auction
A group of more than 1,000 boxing items, nearly all from the careers of two of the most influential figures in the sport, Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson, are being sold at auction. The curated collection being offered by Goldin includes a one-of-a-kind ring owned by Ali, which officially commemorates his third heavyweight championship. Goldin calls it “one of … [Read more...] about Muhammad Ali, Jack Johnson Collection Headlines Boxing Auction
Historical, Personal Ali Items on the Block at SCP Auctions
Two pieces of Muhammad Ali memorabilia, one with historic political significance, are up for bids on SCP Auctions. The auction, which ends on Saturday, includes Ali’s passport, which the United States government revoked, and a poem written and signed by “The Greatest.” The Passport The passport, which Ali held from 1965-66, features three signatures and stamps from travels to … [Read more...] about Historical, Personal Ali Items on the Block at SCP Auctions
1910 Jack Johnson Letter Challenging James Jeffries to Original “Fight of the Century” Up for Auction
Ali vs. Frazier. Leonard vs Hagler. Tyson vs. Holyfield. Mayweather vs. Pacquaio. All are familiar to boxing fans of the last 50 years but long before those well-known confrontations there was Johnson-Jeffries. In 1910, world heavyweight champion Jack Johnson wrote a letter challenging the sport’s biggest name—James Jeffries—to a heavyweight bout. … [Read more...] about 1910 Jack Johnson Letter Challenging James Jeffries to Original “Fight of the Century” Up for Auction
Rare, Original Ali Fight Posters Chronicle Champ’s History
Before there was Ali vs Frazier there was Clay vs Smith. And Clay vs Logan. Clay vs. Siler, anyone? Only a real Muhammad Ali fan would know the names of some of the fighters who challenged the young Cassius Clay in Louisville and beyond during his days as a teenage boxing prodigy. Posters promoting those earliest days exist, though, and they're part of a … [Read more...] about Rare, Original Ali Fight Posters Chronicle Champ’s History
Writin’ Mike: Tyson Inscribes Notes from 58 Fights on New Memorabilia Line
His latest fight may not have been quite as entertaining as those from his prime, but Mike Tyson still has plenty of memories from his four decades worth of boxing. Now, he’s taking boxing fans on a trip down memory lane by writing about each of them on pieces of memorabilia. Tyson recently partnered with Inscriptagraphs, a Las Vegas based popular celebrity memorabilia … [Read more...] about Writin’ Mike: Tyson Inscribes Notes from 58 Fights on New Memorabilia Line
Stinson: Recalling a Visit to The Boxer and The Blonde
It almost doesn't seem possible but June 18th was the 79th anniversary of one of the greatest heavyweight championship fights in boxing history. Less than six months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the curly headed, good looking former light heavyweight champion of the world, Billy Conn, squared off against the then invincible Joe Louis in what most who witnessed it … [Read more...] about Stinson: Recalling a Visit to The Boxer and The Blonde
Memories of Beau and The Kid: Jim Stinson Recalls Autograph Sessions with Boxing Greats
I began doing private autograph signing sessions in the mid-1980s during the advent of the "Baseball Card Shows". To those of us who remember those shows, along with the various dealers selling cards and memorabilia, there were often at least a few former baseball or football players signing autographs to draw fans who might remember them. Pricing ranged from free to … [Read more...] about Memories of Beau and The Kid: Jim Stinson Recalls Autograph Sessions with Boxing Greats
Ali’s Handwritten Speech Asking for Spinks Rematch Up for Auction
There is a reason Muhammad Ali called himself “The Greatest.” The late heavyweight champion handled a microphone better than any other boxer. “The Louisville Lip” could promote a fight or a cause better than any other athlete, taking his cue from the flamboyant professional wrestler of the 1950s, Gorgeous George. From the time he won the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in … [Read more...] about Ali’s Handwritten Speech Asking for Spinks Rematch Up for Auction
Gold Watch Fob Given To Jack Johnson Featured In Heritage Auctions Sale
A gold watch fob given to boxing’s most controversial heavyweight champion will be featured in Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Collectibles Auction in mid-August. No, it did not belong to Muhammad Ali, although his career certainly was controversial. The fob was awarded in 1910 to the first black heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, who won the title … [Read more...] about Gold Watch Fob Given To Jack Johnson Featured In Heritage Auctions Sale