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Intro:
This is an awesome vintage set of hand printed sepia toned iconic boxing photographs discovered in old archives, historical societies and memorabilia sales. Each hand printed piece of history is double matted, and housed in a beautiful rosewood frame. Hand signed, titled, and dated - all three of these spectacular time capsules of boxing lore belonged to the Mark Rueben gallery. In part, all three come with their own COAs (attached to the back of each frame). The PEFECT addition to the combat sport fanatic’s man cave… a touch of elegance, a touch of the past - and an addition that serves to make - your - space truly unique.
Piece One:
Ali vs Foreman, Zaire, Circa 1974: “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
Background:
On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali, at the age of 32, regained the heavyweight champion title by defeating 25-year-old George Foreman in the eighth round of the "Rumble in the Jungle" match in Zaire. Ali had previously lost his title due to accusations of draft-dodging and the subsequent revocation of his boxing license. The match was Africa's first heavyweight championship bout and was organized by Zaire's president, Mobutu Sese Seko, who paid both fighters $5 million each to participate.
The fight was significant not only for the boxing world but also for the broader socio-political context of the time. Ali, who had been taunting Foreman in the lead-up to the match, employed a strategy known as the "rope-a-dope" to tire out his opponent and eventually knock him out in the eighth round. This victory made Ali only the second dethroned champion in history to regain his title.
Ali's victory had a profound impact, as he saw the fight as an opportunity to build a relationship between American blacks and Africans, addressing racial and political issues such as Vietnam. The match drew attention to Zaire's natural beauty and resources, and ultimately made the country more conscious, according to Ali.
Following the fight, Ali went on to lose and regain his title once more before retiring in 1981. He passed away in 2016. Foreman, on the other hand, retired in 1977 but returned to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history in 1987. Today, Foreman is a minister and rancher in Texas, known for endorsing the popular George Foreman indoor grills and is a father of ten children, all named George.
The Piece Itself:
Image shows Ali with both hands raised above his head, a menacing stare cast in the direction of Foreman (who dominates the foreground). This is truly an awesome image, as most images of Ali display Ali front and center - the “center of attention.” Here, Ali is - still - the center of attention, yet, in the background. Though foreman dominates the photograph, Ali lurking in the background, hands raised in challenging triumph, eyes of piercing steel - ends up “stealing” Foreman’s “luster.” The image itself is aesthetically mesmerizing. The “scuffs” and “fuzzy” aspects of the image are indeed attributes of the original photograph. This “washing out” (the result of the imperfect, vintage camera the photographer was using in 74) results in a unique photograph with a touch of artistic nuance.
This piece measures 31” by 21.5” overall (in frame). The hand printed photograph itself measures 24” by 15”.
Piece Two:
Sugar Ray Robinson vs Carmen Basilio, 1957
*Note: This is a - very - hard to come by photo of the two. I’ve not come across an existing image myself - extensive online image searches included.
Background:
After spending three years away from boxing pursuing singing and tap-dancing without much success, the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson made a comeback to the ring in 1955. Despite his time away, Robinson remained in prime condition, running five miles a day before performances and dancing for five hours each night.
In that eventful year, Robinson had a record of 6-1 and claimed the world middleweight championship by knocking out Bobo Olson in the second round. Despite his impressive comeback and title win, Robinson felt disappointed when the Fighter of the Year title was awarded to welterweight champion Carmen Basilio instead.
Basilio had started 1955 with a victory over Peter Müller and went on to defeat Tony DeMarco later in the year to claim the welterweight title. The stage was set for a monumental clash between Basilio and Robinson in what turned out to be a thrilling match-up that captivated fans.
Their first fight was a display of non-stop action and relentless determination, with both fighters pushing themselves to the limit. The close-quarters battle left spectators on the edge of their seats, with the judges ultimately awarding the middleweight crown to Basilio in a hard-fought decision.
A rematch between Robinson and Basilio was held six months later, with Robinson reclaiming his title in another unforgettable showdown. This victory marked Robinson's fifth middleweight title win, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in boxing history.
Robinson's willingness to face tough opponents and put on a show for fans set him apart from modern fighters who may shy away from challenging matchups. His resilience in defeat, such as in his first bout against Basilio, continues to be celebrated decades later for the epic battle it was, showcasing the true spirit of a warrior in the ring.
The Piece Itself:
Image shows Basilio and Robinson “up close and personal,” as their fights became famous for. Fighting quite literally “in each others’ faces,” in this image we see Basilo block an attempted uppercut from that of Robinson. The impact of the blocked blow throws sweat from both men - that “spatter” of sweat captured masterfully by camera flash and bright, overhead ring lights. Both men truly look at war, with Basilio’s haggard and damaged (yet ever so determined) face visible. Robinson’s back is to the camera, his hair wet and glistening as though just stepping out of the shower. “Everlast” visible on the gloves of both men.
The image itself is a “darker” sepia tone than the other two in this set, giving a bit of depth and contrast when the set is displayed together in full. The true sepia tone of this photograph highlights the details in the image - especially the sweat flying off of both men.
This piece measures 20.5” by 16.5” (in frame) while the matted image itself measures 14” by 10.5”
Set in a beautiful rosewood frame, as all pieces in this set are.
Piece Three:
Louis vs Walcott, Madison Square Garden, 1947
Background:
Judges in boxing have a long history of controversial decisions that have left fight fans frustrated and disappointed. The sport has seen its share of robberies and unfair scorecards, with some fighters falling victim to biased outcomes that do not reflect the true nature of their hard-fought battles.
Some of the most notorious examples include Pernell Whitaker's losses to Julio Cesar Chavez and Jose Luis Ramirez, Timothy Bradley's questionable victory over Manny Pacquiao, and George Foreman's seemingly undeserved win over Axel Schulz. These decisions have sparked outrage and debate among fans and experts alike, casting a shadow over the integrity of the sport.
When a fighter finds themselves on the winning end of a controversial decision, it can be a bittersweet moment. While they may celebrate the victory, they are often aware that the judges' verdict was not entirely justified. Instead of acknowledging the opponent's skill and accepting the defeat graciously, some winners may resort to excuses or downplay their opponent's efforts to justify the victory.
However, there are rare instances of fighters who handle such situations with grace and dignity. A shining example of this is Joe Louis, known as the "Brown Bomber" and one of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history. In a historic bout against Jersey Joe Walcott in 1947, Louis found himself in a close and unexpected fight, with Walcott outboxing him and leading on the scorecards.
Despite the judges' controversial decision to award the victory to Louis, the champion displayed remarkable sportsmanship by acknowledging the challenger's efforts and expressing regret over the outcome. Louis's humility and respect for his opponent stood out in a sport often marred by controversy and egotism.
Louis later granted Walcott an immediate rematch, which resulted in a definitive victory for the champion. The second bout showcased Louis's skill and determination, solidifying his legacy as a true sportsman and champion of the people. His actions in the face of adversity serve as a timeless example of class and integrity in the world of boxing.
The Piece Itself:
The image is of “the first knockdown,” focus on a quick knockout - the champ Joe Louis walks into a right hand and (to everyones astonishment) hits the deck. This is an incredible image as we are able to see the reaction of the packed crowd in attendance at Madison Square Garden for this 1947 fight. Mouths agape, bodies lifting out of their chairs…. an iconic moment in boxing history in the contextual landscape of 1947’s Madison Square Garden.
A “birds eye view” shot capturing the entirety of the ring, much of the crowd (packed close like sardines) and the ring lights above. This image boasts a lovely aura of contrast… the crowed dark in hue, the right bright white - the two boxers (Louis and Walcott) sharing the space with only a striped referee. Reporters, cameramen, cornermen, judges — the full chaotic spectrum that was the boxing world in 1947 is on display in this awesome, hard to find hand printed vintage image.
This piece measures 20.5” by 16.5” (in frame) while the matted image itself measures 14” by 10.5” It is the same size as “Sugar Ray vs Basilio.
Condition of Set:
This set is overall in beautiful shape. The images are flush, matting is - beautiful. Only signs of wear are a scuff here and there are the plexiglass displays, and a few nicks/scuffs (small) on the rosewood frames.
~If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out in the form of an email - I will get back to you promptly.
