SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Muhammad Ali’s fight-worn trunks from the historic 1974 boxing match “The Rumble In The Jungle” are being auctioned online this month, but in little more than 24 hours since their introduction, bidding has already surpassed the reserve price.

The Zaire-based “The Rumble in the Jungle” was the quintessential David vs Goliath story. After being stripped of his title and suspended from boxing, Ali had to climb back to the top of the sport but was unable to reach its peak after losing the Fight Of The Century against Joe Frazier. But, as champions do, Ali rebounded, earning a title fight against a bruising, athletically superior George Foreman, a boxer with a perfect 40-0 record at the age of 25.

Ali was an 8-to-1 underdog against the champion in the Oct. 29, 1974 match. In what was one of the most highly promoted and widely covered events of the modern era, Ali’s intelligence reigned supreme against the mighty and undefeated Foreman, bringing out the so-called “Rope-A-Dope” technique to once again reach the pinnacle of boxing.

The trunks worn by Ali during the fight have documentation from his business manager, Gene Kilroy, who could be seen in Ali’s corner on the night of “The Rumble in the Jungle”

“There aren’t many pieces of sports memorabilia that carry more cultural significance, and this is without a doubt the crown jewel among any and all boxing memorabilia,” said Richard E Russek, president of Grey Flannel Auctions, the company conducting the auction.

The trunks were entered in the online/absentee/phone auction with a $25,000 minimum-bid requirement. By the second day of the auction, they had already risen to $30,250.

Online: www.GreyFlannelAuctions.com

#   #   #