This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/4/2020
Accompanied by a letter from the fight promoter's family, this incredibly rare on-site poster for the rematch Heavyweight Championship fight between Champion Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Ex-Champion Sonny Liston originally scheduled to have been fought at the Boston Garden on May 25, 1965 is one of the most historic and scarcest posters in the annals of boxing history. Ali had only just recently changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali after his historic defeat of Sonny Liston in their first bout fought the year before after which he converted to Islam. Sonny Liston's arrest shortly before the scheduled Boston Garden fight and fears about the involvement of Massachusetts organized crime and their ties to the fight promoter who was unlicensed in Massachusetts resulted with the fight being pulled from Boston. On short notice the governor of Maine offered to sanction the fight which was moved to a small junior hockey ring in Lewiston, Maine. The rest is history! Witnessed by fewer than 2500 fans, the fight ended almost as fast as it began with Neil Leifer’s image of Cassius Clay standing over Sonny Liston and taunting him to get up after delivering his famous 60 second 1st round knockout punch of Liston recognized as one of the most iconic images in all of 20th Century sports. Measuring 22 X 28 the colorful cardboard poster portrays formidable full body pictures of Clay and Liston in advertising the date and ticket prices for the Heavyweight Championship at the Boston Garden. This stunning poster was owned by the promoter of this fight himself and is one of only a handful known to have survived from the Boston Garden. And, given the fact that the fight was moved to Lewiston only days before the fight it is unlikely there were on-site posters for that venue. As a result; the rarity, beauty, provenance, subject and historical significance of this “on-site” poster for the Clay/ Liston II fight makes it one of the most desirable boxing posters in modern times. Noticeable crease in upper left corner. Light wear and stains particularly along the bottom border. Good condition. 22 X 28. Comes with a Gotta Have Rock & Roll® Certificate of Authenticity.