Muhammad Ali's most famous - and controversial - boxing glove is up for auction and could fetch up to £6m, it is claimed. The iconic left glove was worn in a 1963 non-title bout between Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, and British champion Henry Cooper.
At the time, Ali was the Olympic champion and a contender for the heavyweight title, while Cooper was also the reigning Commonwealth champion. The controversy surrounding the glove stems from a 2.5cm tear in its knuckle.
Cooper, renowned for his powerful left hook, landed one on Ali at the end of the fourth round. Despite being knocked down, the legendary fighter was saved by the bell.
It is alleged that Ali's coach, Angelo Dundee, ripped the iconic tear in the glove, necessitating a replacement and giving Ali more time to recover. In 2000, Cooper told the BBC: "They did business on the glove. I've had dinner with him [Dundee] a couple of times since then and he's openly admitted it."
However, boxing promoter Frank Warren expressed doubt over Dundee's involvement, stating: "He never said it didn't happen, he never said it did happen. Angelo Dundee was a very astute guy. It would have helped his reputation as a great cornerman," reports the Daily Star.
"He was a super, super cornerman. Everyone thought he was a genius [believing he had deliberately torn the glove]. But it just didn't happen."
