Joe Frazier’s Iconic Ali Fight Robes Head to Auction

From Madison Square Garden to Manila

The first robe dates back to March 8, 1971. When Frazier defeated Ali by unanimous decision at Madison Square Garden in New York in what was billed as “The Fight of the Century.” The bout was the first meeting between two undefeated heavyweight champions and remains one of the most culturally significant fights in sports history. Their second meeting in 1974 also took place at Madison Square Garden, where Ali evened the score by unanimous decision.

The third fight the brutal “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975 is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight battles ever staged. Frazier ultimately suffered a 14th-round stoppage in the Philippines after an unforgettable war in sweltering heat. The robe from that fight carries the weight of one of boxing’s most punishing nights.

The robes come from the personal collection of longtime Madison Square Garden photographer George Kalinsky. Who passed away last year at 88. Kalinsky documented countless iconic moments in sports and entertainment, and the auction also includes Ali-Frazier photographs along with memorabilia from other major sporting events.

For collectors, provenance matters and items tied directly to Ali-Frazier are among the most sought-after artifacts in boxing history.

The Value of Rivalry

Recent sales show just how strong the market remains for memorabilia from the Ali-Frazier trilogy:

• Ali’s trunks from the Manila fight sold for $1.2 million last year.

• The gloves Ali wore in their first bout fetched $606,375 in 2016.

• The red robe Ali wore in Manila sold for $348,000 in 2022.

• The WBC belt Ali won from George Foreman in the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” and later defended against Frazier sold for $6.1 million in 2022.

Given those figures, Frazier’s robes represent relatively accessible entry points into one of boxing’s most legendary chapters though “accessible” is relative when six figures are expected.