ALI, MUHAMMAD EXHIBITION POSTER (VENEZUELA-1971)

Muhammad Ali was born on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. He won the World Heavyweight Title from Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964. He announced his retirement in February of 1970 but was back in the ring later that October. He won the NABF Heavyweight Title On July 26, 1971 in a bout with Jimmy Ellis. He regained the World Heavyweight Title when he fought George Foreman in Zaire on October 30, 1974. He retired after losing to Trevor Berbick on December 11, 1981 with a final record of 56-5 with 37 KO's. Offered here is an original exhibition poster featuring Muhammad Ali boxing on a show in Caracus, Venezuela underneath the world light heavyweight championship fight between Vicente Rondon and Eddie "Bossman" Jones. It was August 21, 1971. El Nuevo Circo in Caracas, Capitol city of Venezuela, was the place that hosted the scheduled fight between the WBA light heavyweight champion of the world Vicente Paùl Rondon (33 wins, 5 loses, 0 draws) and an American fighter, Eddie Jones (21 wins, 8 loses, 1 draw). The venue was amazingly filled by a large crowd who expected to see the second world title holder in the history of the richest country in oil of this planet and the place of the most beautiful women of the world. But there was another big reason to be there: “The Greatest” was scheduled for an exhibition match. The sky full of stars was the perfect ceiling for the uncovered arena where the biggest and brightest boxing superstar ever was sparring four rounds, first with Lance Johnson and then another four rounds with Eddie Brook displaying all his unique and unforgettable style “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. Back in those days Ali was coming from the first lost of his career by the hands of his nemesis Joe “Smoking Joe” Frazier, five months before, and from a 12 round TKO victory against Jimmy Ellis almost a month before. Alì was joking all the time and at the end of the exhibition he called out the referee Rafael Toro Lugo to fight. It was a very funny moment. The crowd and the media went down crazy and thankful for him to be there in such a great mood. Offered here is an exceptionally rare on site poster to this event.
This is an original, paper, on site poster which pictures Ali, Rondon and future Ali sparring partner Eddie Jones. Professionally linen backed. Bold color and print. Bold, clear images. Clean front and back. Fragile paper which is perfectly intact. No tears. Exceptionally rare. 11" x 15 1/2."