MUHAMMAD "THE GREATEST" ALI - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1973 CO-SIGNED BY: JIMMY ELLIS, WILLIE "WILL O' THE WISP" PEP - HFSID 72697

MUHAMMAD ALI, JIMMY ELLIS and WILLIE PEP
All three boxing greats sign this photograph for a fan.
Inscribed photograph signed: "To George Toulas/from/Jimmy Ellis/Good Luck/1973", "Muhammad Ali" and "Willie Pep". B/w, 8x10. On February 25, 1964, ALI, as Cassius Clay, knocked out champion Sonny Liston in the seventh round in Miami Beach to win the World Heavyweight title. He was stripped of his title in 1967 for refusing military service. On October 30, 1974, Ali KO'd George Foreman in the eighth round in Zaire to regain the title. Leon Spinks became champ when he won a 15-round decision over Ali on February 15, 1978 in Las Vegas but lost a rematch with Ali in New Orleans in another 15-round decision on September 15, 1978. Ali retired as World Heavyweight Champion in 1979, then returned to the ring in an unsuccessful bid to regain the title from Larry Holmes (1980). Former Golden Gloves champion ELLIS (1940-2014), shown in the photo, gained the heavyweight title by defeating the top heavyweight contender, Jerry Quarry on April 27, 1968, surrendering the title to Joe Frazier in 1970. Ellis trained alongside childhood friend Ali. Willie Pep, held the featherweight title most of the time from 1942 to 1950. He was nicknamed "Will o' the Wisp" for his elusiveness in the ring. All three are members of boxing's Hall of Fame. Corners lightly worn and creased. Slightly toned. Light surface creases. Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.