The shorts worn by Muhammad Ali during his legendary boxing match, Thrilla in Manila, are on sale at Sotheby's in New York. It's part of a growing sports memorabilia market that is attracting attention from auction companies.
Bidding has been pouring in since late March, including the most recent bid of $3.8 million for Ali's signature Everlast-branded shorts, which are white with black stripes.
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The auction is open until April 12th.
The sale comes as Sotheby's is auctioning off a number of sporting goods, including NBA star Victor Wembaneyama's jersey.
Despite growing interest in the historic sporting item, Sotheby's said it had not yet reached the minimum price agreed to by the seller of Ali's shorts.
Sotheby's estimates that the shorts could ultimately sell for between $4 million and $6 million.
Ali's 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” match against Joe Frazier was held in the Philippines following the previous year's “Rumble in the Jungle” match in the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire). Ta.
Ali's fight in the Philippines went to 14 rounds before Frazier's coach threw in the towel.
“It was like death. It was the closest thing I know to death,” Ali said of the match, which was played in stifling heat and humidity, heated by television lights.
Born Cassius Clay in southeastern Kentucky, Ali is known both as a great athlete and for his role in the fight for civil rights for African Americans. He passed away in 2016.
A number of NBA jerseys will also be on sale, including French player Wenban Yama's complete uniform worn in an exhibition game earlier this year.
The interest in match-day merchandise appears to have extended to items such as chairs, water bottles, and towels in Wenbanyama's locker.
For those who don't have the cash to buy the jersey, which is estimated to sell for $80,000 to $120,000, the contents of the locker are estimated to be worth $5 to $7,000.
