A Symbol of Determination in the Face of Reality
During the decade of the 1960s, no heavyweight boxer on earth could match the speed and power of Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. That combination led to a 1964 World Championship versus Sonny Liston. Strong antiwar convictions led to his banishment from the sport in 1968.
After reinstatement to the fight game after his refusal to join the Army, 1970s Ali was a different fighter who relied on honed skills, experience and a determination to be World Champion. That determination led to several titles, but also immense punishment at the hands of heavy hitters such as George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton.
At the end of his career, Ali lost back-to-back fights against former sparring partner Larry Holmes and his final fight in Nassua Bahamas versus Trevor Berbick (December 11th, 1981). He fought with the heart of a lion, but endured endless punishment to the head, which contributed to his Parkinsons disease, which he would be officially diagnosed with in 1984.
His final fight with Berbick in 1981 was a financial failure, and Ali could no longer pay the expense of his bloated entourage. Only his closest friends remained, one being Gene Kilroy, who Ali personally gifted these trunks.
1982 found Ali struggling financially. His three decades of box office ring success was diminished by poor financial decisions, large entourage, and Ali’s kindness, where he never turned away a person in need.
One entourage survivor was Bundini Brown, who together with Ali, hatched the plan for a 4X World Championship comeback. This was documented via additional memorabilia which entered the hobby. As part of the Troy R Kinunen Muhammad Ali Collection, a set of Everlast headgear, protective cup, and heavy gloves were curated which were supported by the original 1982 dated Everlast company receipt, made to Bundini Brown (most likely never paid). Those items were sold via auction in 2022. These relics were tangible support for the 4X 1982 comeback.
Everlast did supply Ali with some gear per his request. With the receipt of the Everlast gear, Ali began to train for the comeback. The intensity of the training does not appear to have been serious, as his long-time training staff was no longer part of the remaining entourage.
Ali petitioned all 50 States for a boxing license but was denied in each application. It was obvious to the decision makers that his health was now in jeopardy.
As fast as Ali was with his punches and jabs, he could not avoid the hands of Father Time.
With the remaining equipment at his disposal, including these trunks, it was documented Ali did spend some time in the ring, but not in a professional, sanctioned fight.
The following research documented the fact that Ali did appear in the ring during 1982. In an article dated June 6th, 1982, (Cedar Rapid, IA), “Muhammad Ali says he is fully prepared to make yet another boxing comeback -- this time against the winner of Friday's Gerry Cooney-Larry Holmes fight for the heavyweight championship. But hold on, he's only kidding.
Ali, appearing at a weekend benefit sparring session at the Five Seasons Center, said he is 'just jivin'' when he speaks of a serious return to the ring.” These are the types of trunks he would have worn during an exhibition in 1982.
Further research documented Ali’s attempt at a 4X World Championship Comeback run which began with a series of exhibition fights.
An extract from Jonathan Eig’s book reveals the extent of the legend’s suffering following his retirement. It read in part,
” 'He was an old man at 41' - Muhammad Ali and the cost of being a boxing great.”
In the book by Eig titled, Ali: A Life, the author described a meeting between Ali and a fan. Ali was described as being confused and mumbling during the interaction. Clear signs of the damages of a long-time punishment in the square ring and the damage caused by the Heavyweight bruisers Foreman, Frazier, and Norton.
On the drive home, Ali told the fans named Kolb he believed that every person on Earth had an angel watching him all the time. He called it a Tallying Angel, because the angel made a mark in a book every time someone did something good or bad. “When we die,” Ali said, “if we’ve got more good marks than bad, we go to Paradise. If we’ve got more bad marks, we go to Hell.” Hell, he said, it was like mashing your hand down in a frying pan and holding it there, flesh sizzling, for eternity.
“I’ve done a lot of bad things,” he told Kolb. “Gotta keep doing good now.
I wanna go to Paradise.” Ali thought that to continue boxing, making money, would provide him a path to his heaven. His need for trunks were mentioned in the following passage,
“Later the same month, Ali sat in the locker room of the Allen Park Youth Center in North Miami, a short drive from the spot where he had defeated Sonny Liston in 1964. He squeezed into a pair of boxing trunks and laced up his shoes, preparing for a workout, trying to get fit for a series of paid boxing exhibitions planned for the United Arab Emirates. The money raised during the trip would go to build a mosque in Chicago, he said.”
The book again mentioned Ali training, which would have given him the need for Trunks. The passage read,
“Now, he said, he was content to travel and raise money to promote his religion. He had come to the gym in North Miami to get in shape, to drop a few pounds, not with any interest in competing again, just so that he would look reasonably good when he boxed in exhibitions.
“My life just started at 40,” he said. “All the boxing I did was in training for this. I’m not here training for boxing. I’m going over to those countries for donations. When I get there, I’ll stop the whole city. You don’t hear nothin’ about Frazier, or Foreman, or Norton, or Holmes, or Cooney. But when I get to these cities, they’ll be three million people at the airport. They’ll be on the sides of the road going into the city.”
With that he went downstairs to the gym, climbed slowly up the small wooden steps and into the ring. The bell rang. Ali moved toward his sparring partner and punches pounded his headgear.”
Entourage member Gene Kilroy, who was a confidant of Ali since the 1960s, was by Ali’s side during 1982, and obtained these trunks directly from the Champ during this 4X Championship run. The comeback never advanced past exhibitions and carnival like sparring sessions. Ali was no longer a professional contender, but he still had the ability to draw fans and attention.
While performing in these boxing performances, these where the trunks Ali would have worn. Per the letter accompanying this lot signed by Gene Kilroy,
tag were produced by the company in 1982 and sent to Muhammad Ali for what he wanted to be his 4X Championship run. The plan was hatched by Bundini and Ali. Boxing applications were applied for in all 50 states, but no one would grant Ali a license, thus officially ending his professional boxing career. These trunks were gifted to me by Ali. I had them autographed at a later date. I gifted them to James “Big Red” Mourans. Regards, Gene Kilroy”
The trunks show light wear, which would be consistent with the limited time Ali spent in the ring during his limited exhibition bouts, which were described as lighthearted at best. Two distinct spot sized stains on inner left crotch area. During the 1990s, Gene Kilroy presented these trunks to James “Big Red” Mourans. They have never been offered for public sale.
These trunks are dated to 1982, as the label design is framed in a black box, which was introduced in 1982. The design and provenance are consistent for what Ali would have worn for his 4X comeback dream.
Size approximate large Everlast boxing trunks signed in black marker at a later day than when they were worn. The autograph was signed “Muhammad Ali” along with a "Sept 10 1974" inscription. PSA/DNA LOA AP06476 will also attend. LOA Gene Kilroy, James Big Red Mourans, and MEARS Auctions.
These trunks are a symbol of the determination of Ali. A champion that would never give up, but, like all of us, had to accept the fate which comes with father time. Once Ali was told there would be no more professional fights, Ali transitioned his mission from another Belt, to helping raise money for a mosque in Chicago. Ali was simply the Greatest.
Most likely the last pair of Everlast with the Exclusive tag he ever wore.
(It was an honor to handle another significant Ali piece, MEARS president, Troy R Kinunen).
