Gbenga Akinnagbe: Muhammad Ali Photography Collection
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APPRAISER:
So clearly, you have a fascination with Muhammad Ali.
GUEST:
(laughing)
APPRAISER:
How did this start?
GUEST:
I'm a wrestler by trade. I wrestled in high school and college. So I love combat sports and, and I love what Muhammad Ali represents, not just being an amazing boxer, but what he did to change the sport of boxing, and sports in general. That's what kind of started my passion for it. Plus, he was such an outspoken activist. When it was difficult, he had to sacrifice everything, and people turned their back on him then, and he still spoke up for what he believed. That always touched me. And this one, because you never see photos of Muhammad Ali on his ass. And I was, like, "I want that one." Because it shows, like, even great champions have to pick themselves up at some point.
APPRAISER:
Which was the first one you bought?
GUEST:
These two together were in an auction, I believe, at the Soul Train Awards.
APPRAISER:
And this one?
GUEST:
Another charity auction, uh, here in New York. I believe it was the Urban Arts Gala.
APPRAISER:
So let's look at them a little chronologically. The earliest one, picture you have is from 1964. The Beatles happened to be in the United States to tape The Ed Sullivan Show, and they went down to Miami on a press junket, and they met Ali. Not their first choice. They were supposed to meet Sonny Liston.
GUEST:
Oh, wow.
APPRAISER:
And Sonny did not want to have anything to do with the Beatles. So they went to the 5th Street Gym and they posed with Ali. It is an iconic picture. So here, Sonny Liston was supposed to be in this photo with the Beatles, and here, he's knocked out in the first round. This was such a controversial fight. It was actually held in 1965 at a gymnasium in Maine. Ali knocked him out with a punch that no one could see. So now it's the "Phantom Punch."
GUEST:
I remember, yeah.
APPRAISER:
And even today, some people think this whole fight was rigged. And then your last picture is from the Fight of the Century, from 1971. This was the very first bout between Frazier and Ali, both championship heavyweights at the time. It was the most anticipated fight, and at the end, Frazier "knocks him on his ass," as you would say.
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
It was a unanimous decision for Frazier. There went on to be two other fights after this one. So you have a great chronology here. In terms of authenticity of pictures, what you have are typical of what is given to a charity auction.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
These are oversized reprint photographs. They're bigger than the original photographs would have been. In this particular picture, which is color, is wonderful, you have these what look like signatures here, but these are reproductions.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
So they're not original.
GUEST:
(yelps playfully)
APPRAISER:
Oh, well!
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
Um, the Muhammad Ali signature, though, is original. While this picture, though, is 1965, clearly, the signature is much later, because it's when Ali had Parkinson's.
GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
Do you remember what you paid for these?
GUEST:
I got these together. I don't remember exactly, because it was, it was years ago. I think it was anywhere from $2,500 to $3,000? Maybe $2,800. For the two together.
APPRAISER:
And do you remember what you paid for this one?
GUEST:
I'd have to say it was in the 2,000s.
APPRAISER:
These are not limited editions. These are not numbered, like some would be if they were original vintage photographs. So that's something to consider.
GUEST:
Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER:
And because they were made in large multiples, you gave an awful lot to charity, as well.
GUEST:
(laughs) It's very diplomatic of you.
APPRAISER:
In terms of value, this one would be between $1,000 and $1,500.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
Because the Ali signature is authentic and it's a great photograph, between $2,000 and $3,000.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
And with the Fight of the Century, again, about $1,500 to $2,000.
GUEST:
Okay. Okay. They have given me a lot of joy. Um, but no, they're not worth more than $4,000. (both laughing)
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