American businessman Jim Irsay bought boxing legend Mohamed Ali’s championship belt for $6.18 million, acquired in 1974 against George Foreman in the legendary fight called “Rumble in the Jungle”.
The NFL Indianapolis Colts owner announced the purchase Sunday in a Twitter post, saying he was “proud to be the custodian” of the historic World Boxing Council belt.
Irsay hinted that the object could be presented at an exhibition of his collection in August in Chicago as well as in September in Indianapolis.
The businessman is used to spectacular purchases. He notably owns guitars belonging to Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Prince, as well as the original manuscript of the Alcoholics Anonymous guide written by Bill Wilson in 1939.
The sale price for the belt, set early Sunday by Heritage Auctions, reported by Sports Collectors Daily, has been called one of the highest prices ever paid for a sports collectible.
Ali had beaten the previously undefeated Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), by knockout. in the eighth round, to reclaim the world heavyweight crown.
Ali, who died in 2016 aged 74, retained the WBC crown until losing to Leon Spinks in 1978.
To see in video