CIRCA 1966

Muhammad Ali's boxing talents had reached an elite level by 1966. He had been crowned as the heavyweight champion roughly two years before agreeing to a heavyweight bout against his European counterpart Karl Mildenberger. Mildenberger was one of only two southpaw fighters that Ali would face during his illustrious career. The fight would take place on September 10, 1966 at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany. Although he displayed a valiant display of stamina lasting into the twelfth round against Ali, a battered and bloody Mildenberger was spared by the referee who called the fight. Interestingly, Ali would reference this fight as one of the toughest of his career up until that point. Rich maroon leather gloves with white elastic exterior wrist lining intact each displaying their original "Baily's, Glastonbury" manufacturer's labeling as affixed. The gloves show exceptional use including soiling and notable 'puckering' to the wrist areas. Leather surface remains quite nicely preserved with its original patina noting some areas of dryness with few more brittle spots. Period lacings remain with the gloves having appropriate red toning consistent to leather coloring of the gloves. The gloves originated from the personal collection of Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee who presented them to Mildenberger's manager Bruno Miller right after the fight. Noted within an included letter of provenance from Karl Mildenberger, in part, "The gloves have been worn by Muhammad Ali in his fight vs. Karl Mildenberger on September 10th, 1966 in Frankfurt, Germany. The gloves have been obtained directly out of Angelo Dundee's hands after the fight from former Karl Mildenberger manager Bruno Muller." Wonderful and historic pair of fight worn gloves dating to the prime of Ali's career with primary source provenance: VG