March 29, 2018 Sports Memorabilia
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/29/2018
On October 30, 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman to become the heavyweight champion of the World for a second time. This gold nugget was given to Muhammad during his time in Zaire, possible by President Mobutu himself. Certainly this was an extravagant gift at the time. The nugget itself is naturally in the shape of Africa with Zaire painted in green. There is a small diamond inset approximately where the city of Kinshasa would be. The nugget weighs 29.2 grams and has been assayed at 86.4% gold or between 20 and 21 Karats. It appears as if the box is original with a small brass plate that reads "Presented to Muhammad Ali, Sportsman, Kinshasa Nit Kini Zaire 1974". Muhammad Ali is written on the lip of the box in ink. The nugget comes directly from assistant trainer Drew "Bundini" Brown and has a 1984 letter of Provenance. There is a letter from Ali collector Peter Markovian and a letter of opinion from Craig Hamilton.