July 25, (THEWILL) – Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has acquired the heavyweight championship belt that Muhammad Ali earned by defeating George Foreman in “The Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, for $6.18 million, at an auction.
In February 1964, Ali defeated Sonny Liston to claim the WBC title for the first time. He held the title until it was taken away from him because he refused to take part in combat in the Vietnam War as a conscientious objector.
Prior to defeating Foreman, the illustrious boxer unsuccessfully challenged Joe Frazier for the championship in March 1971. But, against Foreman, Ali executed his rope-a-dope tactic flawlessly as Foreman gradually weakened and knocked him out in the eighth round.
This is one of only two Ali WBC titles that are known to exist, according to Heritage Auctions, who stated as much in the listing. One is in a private museum and “unlikely to ever see the hobby’s auction block.” according to the description.
Irsay has previously targeted a historic boxing items before revealing his fandom of Ali. He spent $438,000 in February on the robe that the iconic boxer wore in his 1965 rematch with Liston. A month later, he bought the heavyweight’s gloves from his battle with Karl Mildenberger in 1966.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
