Muhammad Ali's 'Fight of the Century' Gloves For Sale

First Marty McFly's hoverboard went up for sale; now you have the chance to own another huge part of modern American history.

The boxing gloves worn by the legendary heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali in his first ever professional defeat have gone up for sale, and are expected to cost at least £300,000. He wore them in his 1971 fight against 'Smokin' Joe' Frazier, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York.

It was billed as the 'Fight Of The Century', with Frazier then the world champion - a title which he had taken from Ali after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enlist in the US military for their campaign in Vietnam. Frazier won the fight, with a unanimous points decision after 15 rounds.

The two would then take on a rematch, again in New York in 1974 which Ali won, before the deciding bout - the 'Thrilla in Manilla' the following year - saw Ali again triumph, taking the series.

The gloves had been in the possession of Ali's trainer Angelo Dundee but, with his death in February 2012, were sold to a private collector. Now they are back on the market and tipped to fetch at least £300,000 when they go under the hammer in the Heritage Auctions sale in Cleveland, Ohio on July 31st.

There could be a fight just as epic between the many collectors keen to own a piece of sporting history.

(Images: BNPS/Rex)