A boxing glove worn by Muhammad Ali is set to fetch millions at auction. The left-hand glove, from Baily’s of Glastonbury, was worn by Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, during his 1963 bout against Henry Cooper. This glove is renowned in boxing history due to a split made by Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee. Dundee allegedly enlarged an existing tear to extend the fourth round, allowing time for a new glove to be found, which was crucial for the legendary boxer.
The 1963 fight is legendary for several reasons. It led to the requirement of an extra pair of gloves being available. Additionally, it marked one of the few instances where Ali was knocked down in the ring, one of only four such occurrences. Ali was ultimately declared the winner after the fifth round. Now, the red sheepskin glove from that match is being auctioned by Stuart Bull Auctions.
Following a similar auction of a pair of gloves by Christie’s in 2001, Stuart Bull has verified the authenticity of this glove. “I declare this glove to be genuine. I’ve always been aware of its significance, safety, and provenance,” stated Richard Mayers, managing director of Baily’s, who produced the original glove, in a letter. The online auction, ending on 31 October, is expected to draw bids between £4-6 million (€4.8-7.2 million). It is believed that the right-hand glove from the bout is currently in the possession of a member of the Qatari royal family.
Stuart Bull has meticulously traced the glove’s origin to confirm its provenance. Manufactured by Baily’s Tanneries of Glastonbury in 1963, the glove was made under contract by the British Boxing Board of Control. The company produced gloves for both this fight and the 1966 rematch. After the fight, the glove was returned to Baily’s factory for inspection and was kept by the factory by Mayers. Following Mayers’ death, it was gifted to the Sellers family in 1992, where it remained until the Stuart Bull auction.
Alongside the glove, the winning bidder will receive a 70-page dossier detailing the glove’s provenance, documenting the extensive research conducted by the Stuart Bull team to ensure its authenticity.
