Auction Item Details
Lot 292
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Lot Number: 292
Description: Joe Frazier's World Boxing Council (WBC) World Championship Belt. Although the official boxing commissions fully acknowledged Frazier as the official World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion after his defeat of Ellis in 1970, the public relations war waged by Muhammad AliÆs camp cast a shadow on Frazier's status because he had never fought and defeated the exiled Ali. That situation was remedied on March 8, 1971, when Frazier met and defeated Ali at Madison Square Garden in what was billed as the "Fight of the Century". Both fighters went into this match undefeated. The fight swung back and forth with Frazier being insistent. Ali was rocked badly in the 11th and floored by a left hook in the final round. The knockdown cemented Frazier's unanimous decision win over Ali and removed any ambiguity that Frazier earned the belt as World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion. Frazier successfully defended and held his world championship belt from February 16, 1970 through January 22, 1973 when he lost it to George Foreman. The WBC started in 1963 as a competitor to the WBA, with the hope of improving professional boxing standards and safety. The very first championship belts awarded by the WBC went respectively to Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali because they were the first major champions holding the belt during the period after a decision was made to issue belts. Commemorative belts were also given to each of these men to acknowledge the full tenure of their championship. (i.e, Joe Frazier û 1970 to 1973). The massive center medallion is powerfully engraved ôWORLD CHAMPION, WBC. The medallion to the right features the name "World Boxing Council" over an image of Muhammad Ali and the name "Ali" below. The medallion to the left features the name "World Boxing Council" over an image of Joe Louis and the name "Louis" below. The belt is mounted in a lucite case which contains a plaque that reads: Smokin Joe Frazier, Heavyweight Champion of the World, 1968 - 1973. Please Note:We would like to make the buyer of Joe Frazier's extraordinary WBC World Championship Belt aware that with the purchase of the belt comes the provision that for one week a year, the belt must be loaned back to Mr. Frazier for the purpose of displaying it in conjunction with an annual fund raiser for the non-profit Frazier's Golden Gloves. The details of the annual loan will be worked out between Mr. Frazier and the buyer following the purchase. Should potential buyers have questions about this, please contact Guernsey's prior to the auction. The owner could be credited with a tax-deductible contribution in connection with this display.
Estimated Price: (Estimate on Request)
