Muhammad Ali’s WBC belt ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ was bought for US$ 6.18 million by the NFL club Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay on Saturday.
Irsay tweeted that the belt will be displayed for the first time on August 2 in Chicago, and then will go on display on September 9 in Indianapolis.
“Muhammad Ali’schampionship belt from 1974 ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ when he employed his rope-a-dope and defeated George Foreman, just added to @IrsayCollection. Just in time for the Aug. 2 show at Chicago’s Navy Pier and Sept. 9 at Indianapolis. Proud to be the steward!” Irsay tweeted on his Twitter.
Ali won the WBC belt in 1974, when the boxing legend knocked down the champion George Foreman in the heavyweight bout.
The fight symbolised the boxer’s return after having his license and title stripped for refusing to join the United States Armed Forces to represent the country in the Vietnam War.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, is proud that Irsay, a “outstanding caretaker,” bought the belt.
“After several hours of watching two bidders go back and forth over this belt, this proved to be a battle worthy of the Rumble itself,” Ivy said.
Irsay has made a number of buys in the past. He has been a longstanding fan of the fighter and has already bought the Muhammad Ali mantle from 1965 and the Joe Frazier shoes from the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” match.
The American always exhibits the complete collection, which includes artifacts from the ground of music, literature, and politics.
Ali’s WBC belt now becomes the third most expensive item in collectors’ history. The leader of top ranking is the Argentina national team jersey worn by Maradona, when he scored the most popular hand goal in football during the match against England in the 1986 World Cup. The jersey was auctioned for US$9.3 million in May 2022.
