1971 Muhammad Ali Endorsed Check - Payment for "The Fight of the Century" vs. Joe Frazier - PSA/DNA and JSA

Bank check, dated March 10, 1971, issued to, and endorsed by, Muhammad Ali. PSA/DNA has encapsulated the check and certified the signature as "Authentic." This check, in the amount of $348,535.67, represents partial payment of Ali's $2.5 million purse for the "Fight of the Century" vs. Joe Frazier held two days earlier at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 8, 1971. In what was the first heavyweight championship fight between two unbeaten opponents, Frazier retained his title with a hard fought unanimous 15-round decision over Ali. The check, drawn on the Chemical Bank of New York, has been signed in blue ink along the base by promoter "Robert Arum." The printed blue-ink notation "Robert Arum, Ali Account" appears along the upper-left border. Endorsed by "Muhammad Ali" in black ink on the reverse. A few additional handwritten notations, including one that is crossed out, appear on the reverse. The check (6 x 2.75 inches) displays normal bank cancellation stamps, as well as a vertical fold, two small tears in the upper-left corner, a tiny edge tear at the top, and a very small, light stain along the right border. In Very Good condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.