Boxing

Muhammad Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle belt sold at auction for $6m

Fight in 1974 against George Foreman was one of boxing’s most memorable moments

Referee Zack Clayton, right, steps in after challenger Muhammad Ali knocked down defending heavyweight champion George Foreman . Photograph: AP
Referee Zack Clayton, right, steps in after challenger Muhammad Ali knocked down defending heavyweight champion George Foreman . Photograph: AP
Sun Jul 24 2022 - 23:06

Muhammad Ali’s championship belt from his 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight title fight has been sold at auction for $6.18 million .

The winner of the competition for the belt was Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, according to Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

In a tweet on Sunday, Mr Irsay confirmed he acquired the belt for his collection of rock music, American history and pop culture memorabilia that is currently touring the country.

The belt will be displayed on August 2nd at Chicago’s Navy Pier and on September 9 in Indianapolis.

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“Proud to be the steward!” Mr Irsay tweeted.

“After several hours of watching two bidders go back and forth over this belt, this proved to be a battle worthy of the Rumble itself,” Chris Ivy, Heritage’s director of sports auctions, said.

The 1974 fight was one of boxing’s most memorable moments.

Ali stopped the fearsome George Foreman to recapture the heavyweight title in the African nation of Zaire. Ali won the fight in a knockout in the eighth round. - AP