US boxer Muhammad Ali (L) hitting the head of his opponent Joe Frazier during their bout in Manila, Philippines. Photo: UPI / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP
The trunks worn by Muhammad Ali in his epic 'Thrilla in Manila' victory over Joe Frazier are expected to fetch more than $6 million (NZ$10m) at auction next week.
Ali's iconic white satin shorts went up for sale with renowned auction house Sotheby's on Thursday - and the bidding has already reached $3.8m (NZ$6.3m).
The trunks, signed by Ali, were sold for $150,000 (NZ$250,000) in 2012 but are likely to fetch 40 times that sum now.
The auction runs at Sotheby's New York branch until Friday 12 April.
Muhammad Alis trunks worn during the 1975 legendary match against Joe Frazier, 'The Thrilla in Manila', are on display during 'Sports Week' auctions at Sotheby's in New York City on 4 April, 2024. Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
The 'Thrilla in Manila', which took place in October 1975 in the capital of the Philippines, is one of the seminal bouts in boxing history.
Frazier, nicknamed 'Smokin' Joe', had won the first meeting between the pair four years earlier, becoming the first man to defeat Ali when he successfully defended his world heavyweight title via unanimous decision in New York.
Ali won a controversial non-title rematch in 1974, paving the way for a rubber fight the following year, by which time he had regained the world crown by beating George Foreman in another iconic bout, the 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
And the third meeting also went the way of Ali after 14 gruelling rounds when Frazier was retired by his corner team.
The bouts are considered by many to be the greatest trilogy in boxing history.
As well as being signed by Ali, the Everlast trunks are also inscribed by his corner man, Drew 'Bundini' Brown, who died in 1988 - they fetched just $1000 (NZ$1666) when auctioned after his death.
Ali, one of sport's legendary figures, died in June 2016 at the age of 74 after living with Parkinson's Disease for much of his post-boxing life, while Frazier passed away in 2011 at the age of 67.
- This story was first published by BBC News
