1971 Ali - Frazier 1 On-Site Fight Poster

Sold For:

$1,920

Year:

1971

Auction:

2018 Fall

Lot #:

2680

Category:

Internet Only

Rare on-site boxing poster for the 1971 heavyweight championship bout between challenger Muhammad Ali and champion Joe Frazier held on March 8th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Dubbed "the fight of the century," the 1971 heavyweight championship fight between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali (the first of their three momentous fights) was one of the most highly anticipated bouts in boxing history and the first to match an undefeated former champion (Ali) against a current, unbeaten champion (Frazier). (Ali was stripped of his title in 1967 after refusing to be inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces.) The fight was as good as advertised, with Frazier winning a hard-fought fifteen-round unanimous decision. The poster, printed on paper stock, features full-length images of both fighters and lists the date and venue of the match. Also noted is the fact that the only way one could see the fight was live at the Garden, "No Radio - No Home TV." This was the only on-site poster issued for the fight and is one of fewer than 10 examples we have seen. This is just the second we have offered, with the first having realized $4,406 in our Spring 2008 Auction (Lot 1517). This particular example is also new to the hobby and has been in our consignor's possession for decades. The great significance of the Ali-Frazier fights to American popular culture makes this on-site fight poster not just one of the rarest and most classic boxing display pieces of the era, but a display piece that transcends the world of sports collecting. The poster (28 x 21.875 inches) displays both tack holes and staple holes in each of the corners, with the tack hole in the upper right corner having torn through the edge. A number of light creases are evident throughout, as is a light stain along the top border, and light, uneven toning along the bottom border. In Very Good condition overall. It should be noted that most of the flaws are relegated to the perimeter and the poster would display closer to Excellent if matted and framed. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open).