Muhammad Ali's Signed 'Thrilla in Manila' Shorts Are Up For Auction—And the Estimates Are Staggering
While the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the MOA Arena in Pasay City was certainly a moment for the country, the "Thrilla in Manila" remains the most important sporting event that's ever happened on Philippine soil. The third bout between two titans of the ring Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the match had the duo authoring a fight for the ages. Ali, of course, would come out of the Big Dome victorious.
About 50 years later, Ali's signed white satin trunks with black stripes from the fight are apparently going into auction and they're expected to fetch around a whopping $4 to 6 million (approximately P226,000,000 to P339,000,000).
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Interestingly, this is now the fifth time in history that the boxer's signed Everlast-branded trunks are hitting the market, says Sotheby's. The first time it happened, assistant trainer and cornerman Drew “Bundini” Brown's estate sold some pants to a collection in 1988. How much did it cost? Just $1,000.
The GOAT's shorts follow a trend among auction houses where sports memorabilia has reached astronomical estimates in the market. For comparison, the most expensive piece ever sold was Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals. It sold for $10 million in 2022. The highest-priced item ever sold by Ali is still the belt from "The Rumble in the Jungle," which sold for $6.2 million.
The "Thrilla in Manila" is widely considered the conclusion of one of the greatest rivalries in sports history, one that began with the "Fight of the Century" at New York City's Madison Square Garden in 1971. The Araneta act would have Frazier lasting 14 rounds before his coach eventually threw in the towel.
The lot closes on April 12, 2024.
