Muhammad Ali won the heavyweight championship belt in the “Rumble in the Jungle” fight against George Foreman in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Jim Irsay, owner of the Indianapolis Colts, won the historic artifact after placing the winning bid at Heritage Auction’s recent showcase for $6.18 million USD.
The WBC belt has more significance than just Ali winning the title; it signifies his return to professional boxing after having his boxing license and World Boxing Association title taken away for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War. Ali was able to return to the ring after a seven-year absence and was able to finish Foreman in the eighth round.
Similar to the fight, Irsay engaged in his own bout during the bidding war and emerged victorious.
“After several hours of watching two bidders go back and forth over this belt, this proved to be a battle worthy of the Rumble itself,” Chris Ivy, Heritage’s Director of Sports Auctions, said in a press release.
The owner of the Colts currently owns a number of Ali-related collectibles, including the 1965 walkout robe he wore after changing his name from Cassius Clay and the shoes he wore during the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” fight with Joe Frazier.
Irsay’s entire collection of iconic tokens spanning sports, music, literature, and politics will be on display at Chicago’s Navy Pier on August 2 and in Indianapolis on September 9.
