This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/15/2020
Known as "The Bayonne Bleeder," lightly regarded Chuck Wepner stunned the boxing world when he sent heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali to the canvas in the 9th round of their March 24, 1975 bout. Ali got up to score a 15th round knockout with just seconds left and a commanding lead on the scorecards, but the almost incredible upset is thought to have provided the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone's Acadamy-Award winning classic "Rocky." Featured is a remaining artifact from that memorable battle, the actual hand wrap that champion Muhammad Ali wore in the fight. Frank Longwell was in the dressing room after the Ali-Wepner fight, got Ali's signature (To Frank, Muhammad Ali 75) and picked up the Everlast hand wrap after being cut from Ali's wrist and landing in the wastebasket. Included with the wrap are several articles about how Longwell acquired the wrap, a letter from Longwell confirming the story, the Ali signature given to Longwell and several original photos of Ali taken before the fight, including his equipment table, sparring sessions and applying the hand wraps. This is an incredible piece of boxing history from a bout between "the greatest" and the real-life "Rocky."