Rare Muhammad Ali Trunks from “Thrilla in Manila” Up for Auction at Sotheby’s

The iconic white satin trunks worn by the legendary Muhammad Ali during his historic “Thrilla in Manila” bout with Joe Frazier in 1975 have once again made headlines as they hit the auction block at Sotheby’s in New York. The estimated price for these historic boxing shorts is set to reach between $4–6 million by the time the bidding closes on April 12.

This is not the first time Ali’s famous trunks have been up for auction, as they have changed hands multiple times over the years. Originally sold by Ali’s assistant trainer and cornerman Drew “Bundini” Brown to a private collector in 1988 for a mere $1,000, the trunks last sold in 2012 for $150,000. If they fetch $5 million or more this time, they will join the ranks of the top 10 most expensive sports memorabilia in history.

The sports collectibles market has seen a significant boom in recent years, with a global market value of $26 billion in 2021 expected to surge to over $227 billion by 2032. Game-worn memorabilia, like Ali’s trunks, are particularly sought after by collectors, with Sotheby’s authenticating items through a meticulous photo-matching process.

Ali, who passed away in 2016, remains a towering figure in both sports and civil rights history. His trilogy of fights with Frazier, culminating in the “Thrilla in Manila,” is legendary in the world of boxing. The significance of these trunks lies not just in their connection to a historic fight, but in their association with one of the greatest athletes and cultural icons of all time.

As the bidding for Ali’s trunks heats up, sports memorabilia enthusiasts and collectors alike will be watching closely to see who will be the lucky owner of this piece of boxing history.