Muhammad Ali boxing glove made in Glastonbury sells in Chard

It takes place on December 18 from 3pm, and has a starting bid of £500,000. 

The glove was made by A Baily’s of Glastonbury left-hand boxing glove worn by Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in his first fight against Henry Cooper at Wembley Stadium on 18 June 1963, signed by Henry Cooper

The glove is the colour 'cerise red' and lined with a (Dorper) sheep skin with the original cotton lining and cotton two and two twill weave stay tape lace and full and pronounced D shape thumb guard and with a 2.5 cm cut/tear to the knuckle.

Sold together with a documentation including a hand written letter from the late Richard Mayers, managing director of Baily’s stating as follows: “I declare this glove to be genuine. I’ve always been aware of it’s significance, safety and provenance."

It was confirmed as the real thing by Chard Auctioneers. Read more: Chard Auctions authenticate Muhammad Ali boxing glove.

And also Mayer’s Curriculum Vitae, Deeds to the Baily’s Factory and a black and white Mirror Press Photograph taken of Cooper knocking Clay to the canvas in round 4 of the bout (22 x 17 cm).

The glove was manufactured by Baily’s Tanneries of Glastonbury in 1963 by Percy Green (Cutter), June Griffin (Trimmer) Lilian Whitcombe (Machinist).

Baily’s were contracted by The British Boxing Board of Control to make boxing gloves for professional boxing and title fights, including the fight between Cassius Clay v Henry Cooper at Wembley Stadium, on 18 June 1963 and at the rematch between Mohammad Ali v Henry Cooper at Arsenal Stadium, on 21 May 1966.

After the 1963 fight Clay’s damaged left-hand glove was sent back to Baily’s factory in Glastonbury for inspection.

The glove was also subjected to laboratory testing by Messrs. Pittards of Yeovil, Somerset, leather suppliers to Baily’s.

The glove was then held securely by Baily’s until the late Richard Mayers, the Managing Director of Baily’s, gifted the glove along with the handwritten letter, his Curriculum Vitae, Deeds to the Baily’s Factory and original Mirror Photograph referenced above the to the Seller’s family in 1989, with whom it has remained until consigned for sale with Stuart Bull Auctions. Mayers had met Henry Cooper in the late 1980’s when the glove was signed by Cooper.

The lot will be accompanied by a dossier of provenance research of 70 pages.

Read more on the auction website.