Ali, Liston gloves up for auction
The boxing gloves of Muhammad Ali, front, and of Sonny Liston, rear, sit on a table at Heritage Auctions by a photo and magazine depicting a moment captured during the May, 1965 fight.
The 1965 rematch between Ali and Liston remains one of the most controversial sporting events of the 20th century.
Months before the 50th anniversary of the fight both pairs of gloves are going on the auction block for the first time. Heritage Auctions is offering them as a single lot on Feb. 21 in New York.
The auctioneer expects they will sell for more than $1 million. Bidding will start at $500,000.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, shortly after dropping Liston less than two minutes into the first round of their heavyweight title fight, in Lewiston, Maine, May 25, 1965.
A signed print of Neil Leifer's famous photo of the "Phantom Punch" is included in the lot along with the gloves.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Sonny Liston, center, and his wife, Geraldine, walk up steps to main hotel and dining room for dinner the evening before the fight in Poland Spring, Maine, May 24, 1965.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Heritage Auctions Director of Sports Auctions, Chris Ivy, holds the autographed glove of Muhammad Ali with the gloves of Sonny Liston sitting on the table below at the auction house, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in Dallas.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Dr. Leo Lemieux of Westbrook, Maine checks the blood pressure of heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, center, as Maine Boxing Commission member Duncan MacDonald, right, looks on, May 18, 1965.
Ali had recently joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name from Cassius Clay. The original caption for this image refers to him as Clay.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, left, is shown peering over to read scales as the weight of challenger Sonny Liston was erroneously announced as 219 1/2 pounds, May 25, 1965.
After a recheck, it was set at 215 1/4.
Ali came in at 206.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Both sets of gloves will be sold as one item on Feb. 21, 2015.
Maine Boxing Commissioner George Russo maintained possession of these gloves. He died in 1975 and they passed into the possession of his nephew, G. Robert Russo.
Several years ago Ali attested that they are the gloves he wore in the famous bout.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Both sets of gloves will be sold as one item on Feb. 21, 2015.
"Phantom Punch" gloves to be auctioned
Sonny Liston tries to regain his feet after being knocked down by Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali, unseen, at the Lewiston Arena, Maine, May 25, 1965.
Ali knocked out Liston in the first minute of the first round to retain his title. The fight became known as the "Phanton Punch" fight.
The entire bout lasted less than two minutes.