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Autographed Vintage Posters for your collection.

Muhammad Ali
A.K.A. Cassius Clay
vs.
Joe Frazier
March 8, 1971  Madison Square Garden

THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

On March 8, 1971, one of boxing history's most anticipated heavyweight championship fights took place, a fight that to many boxing analysts was the greatest bout of all time. The undefeated Challenger, Muhammad Ali A.K.A. Cassius Clay met the undefeated Champion, Joe Frazier, at New York City's Madison Square Garden for 15 rounds of the most breathtaking boxing ever seen.

This was the first of three titanic matches between these two legendary athletes, and for many it was the best of all '70s fights.

Almost all the posters advertising this great event have been either lost or destroyed.

Our collection of official "BATTLE OF THE CHAMPIONS" closed circuit TV posters  with AUTHENTIC AUTOGRAPHS are quite possibly the last ones left in existence. These posters were purchased by the current owner from an old shopkeeper on the lower East Side of New York City in 1971. They were signed in the early 1980's (in the presence of the owner) by both Ali and Frazier. As a result these are considered to be the more valuable Vintage Muhammad Ali autographs.

These beautiful posters measure 14" by 22" and display full-body black and white photos of each boxer in fighting pose, under the lead headline "The Greatest Event In All Sports History." Signatures authenticated and certificates provided by PSA.

Signed in blue pen and black marker. Excellent to Near Mint condition, in the classic red, yellow and black format typical of vintage Murray posters of the era. Most posters carry the printers' union symbol and "Murray Poster Printing Co. Inc., 521 W. 23rd St. NY 10011" along the bottom edge. You'll never find a better poster from this historic boxing event.


Very limited quantities of these magnificent original posters are offered to the serious collector.

A wonderful centerpiece for any sports memorabilia collection and an incredible investment opportunity.
You can own a TRULY RARE piece of BOXING HISTORY.

There are four different, extraordinarily desirable versions of these great posters.
(Click each poster  for more information)

Unsigned
$400


Autographed by
Muhammad Ali

Autographed by
 Joe Frazier and
Muhammad Ali

Please Click Here to Contact Us for pricing information.


The History...

On a balmy afternoon in New York City, late summer of 1971, on the lower East side (near Little Italy) I came across a little old man with a shop that sold anything and everything. The store was loaded with sponges 3 for $1, batteries, umbrellas, socks, rugs, refrigerator magnets, potato chips and the list goes on. The place was called "Stuff."  After snooping around the store, on the top of a shelf I found a hidden treasure.

There was a small stack of closed circuit television posters of the Madison Square Garden Heavyweight Championship Fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The battle had taken place a few months earlier as Ali (undefeated and the challenger) lost his first fight and was knocked down in the 15th round as well. He was my idol and I thought he was invincible. It broke my heart. I wasn't surprised the poster said "Muhammad Ali A.K.A. Cassius Clay" because he had changed his name fairly recently,  when he became a Muslim. I'm sure the promoters wanted to make sure that all the fans knew that although he now called himself by another name, this was in fact also the man they knew as Cassius Clay. Soon that stopped appearing on posters as he became known around the world as Muhammad Ali.

The white, black, yellow and red posters were beautiful with great pictures of both boxers. I grabbed them all and went to the counter and discussed the price. The little old man tried to make the sale based on the fact that these were "good cardboard", and to my shock, to prove his point he tore one of these fantastic posters in half. I bought them all and as I left the store realized I'd found a boxing treasure.


Bobby Kosser with Muhammad Ali


Joe Frazier, Bobby Kosser and Marvis Frazier

Year's later, Ali's manager set up a meeting for me with my idol Muhammad Ali. He was gracious enough to sign some of the posters. He is a huge man (a heavyweight to be sure). I am very small and if I'm not a flyweight, certainly a paperweight. I asked Ali when he fought at my weight and he said "when I was in the 3rd grade".

Hanging out and having lunch with Ali has always been the thrill of my life. Now nearly a quarter of a century later I am parting with some of my collection to share this unique item with other fans of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, with fans of boxing and with fans of sports history. 

Ali  was as loveable and as funny as I had seen and imagined he would be. As I departed he gave me a hug and said he enjoyed our time together! It's no wonder he's recognized as the 20th century's most popular athlete in the world.  

A similar meeting was set up later with Joe Frazier who signed some of the posters for me, as well. Joe...well...quite frankly, he didn't seem to be having as much fun as Muhammad did. He seemed a little tense, maybe not in the best mood. Considering he's a big man, let's just say that I was very glad his nice son Marvis was there, too. Definitely three momentous days in my life.

I hope you hang your posters on the wall and enjoy them as much as I have.