American businessman Jim Irsay bought boxing legend Mohamed Ali’s championship belt for $6.18 million, which he earned in 1974 against George Foreman in the mythical fight called “Rumble in the Jungle.”
The Indianapolis Colts owner announced the purchase in a Twitter post on Sunday, saying he is “proud to be the custodian” of the historic World Boxing Council belt.
Irsay indicated that the object could be presented at an exhibition in his collection in Chicago in August and in Indianapolis in September.
The businessman is used to spectacular purchases. Notably, he owns guitars by Elvis Presley, John Lennon or Prince, as well as the original manuscript of the Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous written by Bill Wilson in 1939.
The sale price for the belt, set by Heritage Auctions early Sunday, was described by Sports Collectors Daily as one of the highest prices ever paid for a sports collectible.
Ali defeated the previously undefeated Foreman by KO in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). in the eighth round to retake the world heavyweight crown.
Ali, who died in 2016 at the age of 74, retained the WBC crown until losing to Leon Spinks in 1978.