A letter written by notorious gangster Reggie Kray predicting Mike Tyson's successful boxing career has been put to death.
John Rolfe Auctions, based at the former Babdown airfield near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, will display rare Tyson letters in a four-day sale starting April 20.
The letter remained in a suitcase for 30 years and remained in Clive Parry's possession for 37 years. Clay wrote the letter to Parry from Gartree Prison, near Leicester, in the 1980s.
In an excerpt from the letter, Clay writes: “I still have friends in the boxing world. I think Tyson is a great champion, but at least he'll prove he is.”
Tyson is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Tyson reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world from 1987 to 1990. Tyson, now 57, shocked the boxing world by announcing he would face 27-year-old Jake Paul on July 20 in Texas, with streaming giant Netflix announcing that it would broadcast the fight. Ta.
“Clay, along with his gangster twin Ron, were avid boxers and always tried to stay on top of what was going on in the boxing world,” John Rolfe explained.
And while Tyson was in prison, the boxing legend spent time corresponding with the notorious East End gangster.
“It was later discovered that Tyson was an avid collector of Clay memorabilia, and Tyson himself even wrote letters to Reggie Clay while in prison.”
Clay was clearly interested in boxing, which is surprising considering the career Tyson left behind. We are really excited that this letter will be auctioned along with Ron's funeral service order.
“This is the second time we have put Clay's items up for auction, the last time he was in prison between 1988 and 1991 while serving a life sentence for murder. The letter sold for more than £900.
“We also sold letters, a letter from HMP Blundeston and an autographed photo of Reggie doing some heavy lifting and looking quite muscular.”
Also up for auction in April is a shirt worn by notorious gangster Reggie Kray while serving time at Shepton Mallet Prison in Somerset.
For more information, please visit www.johnrolfeauctions.com.
