ALI, MUHAMMAD EXHIBITION POSTER (1977)

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, on site poster for Muhammad Ali's appearnace and exhibition at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis on December 8, 1977 to raise money for Bill Crumby, Jr. who was paralyzed in a college football game. Bill Crumby came to the Memphis football team as a defensive back in 1976. The 6-2, 175, graduate of CBHS in Memphis, saw no action during his first year as a Tiger but earned a spot on the Memphis special teams during his second season. Crumby had appeared in the first seven games of the 1977 season and had been credited with four tackles and two assists entering the Memphis-Southern Miss contest on October 29. With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Crumby was injured in an attempt to stop USM kick returner Willie Tullis at the Golden Eagle 35-yard line. Crumby sustained a fractured dislocation of his fifth cervical vertebra and was paralyzed from his shoulders down. Since that night, no one has worn 39. Crumby, who had supported Tiger athletics since his youth and continued to support after his accident, passed away in January of 2000.
This is an original, on site poster printed on heavy paper stock which pictures Muhammad Ali. Bold color and print. Bold, clear image. Clean. Not torn. One crease at upper left. Minor edge wear. A fine example. 18" x 24."