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Boxing Autographs
7 Lots
 Lot 7. Sonny Liston Rare Autograph on an 11” x 14” Paul Abdoo Photograph. Uncommon on anything, Liston autographs are especially collectible on this scarce colorized image by the Denver photographer. This signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is nm-m 8. Typically found signed by Liston and another person, the photo shows Liston wearing the World Heavyweight Championship belt presented by “Ring” magazine. The controversial champion retained Abdoo to improve his image. He apparently gave signed copies of this photo to his friends and selected individuals he wanted to impress. In 1962, Liston destroyed Floyd Patterson in the first round of their heavyweight championship bout in Chicago. He retained the title when he knocked out Patterson again in the first round of their 1963 rematch. In February 1964, he lost the championship to Muhammad Ali (as Cassius Clay), who scored a TKO in the seventh round. Ali ended their 1965 rematch in the first round. Liston learned to box while serving time in the Missouri State Penitentiary for armed robbery. After being paroled and then returning briefly to prison, he climbed to the top of the heavyweight challengers’ list by 1960. At the age of approximately 38 (his date of birth is uncertain), he died at his home in Las Vegas in 1970 under murky circumstances. Although lung congestion and heart failure were listed as the official cause of death, some sources said Liston died of a heroin overdose, and some police and friends claimed he was murdered. The photo has a somewhat heavy crease in the upper left corner well away from Liston’s image. The “on” in “Liston” is set against a somewhat dark part of the photo background. This is a highly collectible single-signed image of the Boxing Hall of Fame champion!
Winning Bid $3,909.
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 Lot 8. Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier Signed “Sports Illustrated” - “Thrilla in Manila” Coverage. On the cover of the Oct. 13, 1975 issue, Ali lands a punch during their famous Oct. battle in the Philippines. In the 14th round, Ali scored a TKO and retained his world heavyweight title. The magazine captures their confrontation in eight pages. Both Ali and Frazier placed large, bold signatures on the cover of the ex-m+ magazine. Both are on relatively dark backgrounds, and Ali’s displays as nm-m 8 to mint 9, and Frazier’s, as nm 7 to nm-m 8. Frazier passed away last November. An outstanding champion himself, he lost only to Ali and George Foreman. At Frazier’s passing, Ali issued a statement saying: “The world has lost a great champion. I will always remember Joe with respect and admiration.” Kevin Keating authenticated the signatures.
Winning Bid $429.
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 Lot 219. Scarce Autograph of Heavyweight Champion Ezzard Charles. Underrated among the heavyweights, Charles was 38 years old before the boxing gods gave him a shot at the title even though he had dispatched quality opponents such as Joey Maxim, Charley Burley and Archie Moore. He beat Jersey Joe Walcott for the vacant NBA championship in 1949, won the vacant world championship by defeating an aging Joe Louis, and then lost the world title to Walcott in 1951. Prior to 1948, Charles was an aggressive boxer with a hard punch. In 1948, however, an opponent died several days after Charles had knocked him out. After that, Charles seemed to lose his desire to knock out opponents. His signature in ballpoint is on an unlined index card. In 1954, Charles unsuccessfully challenged Rocky Marciano twice for the world title. He retired in 1959 and died in 1975. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $83.
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 Lot 220. Joe Frazier Autographed 8” x 10” Photo. Large, mint 9 autograph by the heavyweight champion who engaged in epic battles with Muhammad Ali. Frazier held the heavyweight title from 1970-73. He was also the 1964 Olympic heavyweight gold medalist. Frazier passed away in November of 2011. Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph. The photo has several creases and displays very nicely.
Winning Bid $83.
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 Lot 221. Autographs of 6 Boxing Champs: Conn, Graziano, LaMotta, Sharkey, Walcott and Zale. Jack Sharkey signed a postcard mailed in 1988. The other signatures are on unlined index cards: Billy Conn, Rocky Graziano, Jake LaMotta (added “Raging Bull”), Jersey Joe Walcott and Tony Zale. Conn held the light heavyweight title from 1939-41. Zale (1940-47 and briefly in 1948), Graziano (1946-47) and LaMotta (1949-51) were middleweight champions. Sharkey (1932-33) and Walcott (1951-52) captured the heavyweight crown. The Sharkey autograph reflects his age; nm 7. The others are nm-m 8 or better. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $100.
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