DS, signed “Cassius Clay,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 14, April 25, 1963. Exclusive three year agency contract between Ali and the William Morris Agency for the standard 10%.
The William Morris Agency clearly saw Ali’s potential, as this signing comes at a turning point in his career. Having amassed an astounding 19-0 record in the first three years of his professional career, Ali gained a reputation for predicting the round in which he would finish his opponent. Ali continued this tradition in his first foreign professional fight, telling reporters that Henry Cooper would fall in the fifth round and then making sure he did so, in front of 55,000 fans, on June 18, 1963.
Ali had certainly displayed his commercial possibilities and the William Morris Agency made sure to take advantage of his vast potential, signing him a mere two months before the Cooper fight. Luckily for them, Ali would quickly become the next contender for Sonny Liston’s title, ultimately claiming victory against Liston for the Heavyweight Championship in a sixth round technical knockout. The following day Cassius Clay announced that he was changing his name to Muhammad Ali. In fine condition, with punch and staple holes to top edge, ink notations, and clipped lower corner. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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