Special Report on Anticounterfeiting

If you are old enough to remember the golden age of boxing, memories of crowds cheering “Ali! Ali! Ali!” will still echo in your head. However, today that chant from classic fights like the “Rumble in the Jungle” (Ali vs. Foreman) and the “Thrilla in Manila” (Ali vs. Frazier III) has a new meaning. Muhammad Ali is still one of the world’s most famous people and one of the most sought-after athletes in the world of sports collectibles. However, this is a market where buyers should be very wary. Why? Because at least two out of every three Ali-signed boxing gloves, trunks, and photos – along with the autographed helmets, jerseys, and other items in the now global sports collectible market - are fakes.