Boxing legend Muhammad Ali's boxing gloves were sold at the Heritage Auction Sports' Platinum Night Auction on Saturday.
The gloves were sold to an anonymous buyer, according to WebProNews. The gloves brought in more money than it was expected to sell for, since it was originally estimated to sell for $250,000.
Ali wore the gloves during his first championship fight against Charles "Sonny" Liston on February 25, 1964, WebProNews reported. It was the first fight between the two boxers, and Ali came out on top in the seventh round when Liston ended the fight, saying he was injured.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Collectibles at Heritage Auctions, talked about the attention the auction was getting and how it reflected Ali's legacy, according to Boxing News Online.
"These are the very gloves Ali wore when he claimed his first Heavyweight Championship 50 years ago," Ivy said, "and given the attention these received from media and fans all over the world, and the spectacular price they achieved, it's clear that Ali is just as loved and respected today as he's ever been."
Ali, who was born Cassius Clay, Jr., had already won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome in the light heavyweight boxing category, although he was still unknown in boxing at the time, WebProNews reported. It was after his fight with Liston that Clay went by the name Cassius X, and then Muhammad Ali, making his name famous to the world.
Ali held his hands up and showed off his shuffling footwork, which would eventually become his trademark, as he was declared the winner of the fight against Liston, according to Boxing News Online.
"I'm the greatest!" Ali said. "I shook up the world!"
Ivy spoke about Ali's impact on people not just in America but also around the world, according to Boxing News Online.
"Only Jackie Robinson could compete with Ali for the title of most influential figure in American sports history," Ivy said. "But not even Robinson can compete with Ali in terms of being loved internationally. Ali is a figure that transcends boxing or America. He belongs to the entire world."
