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Artist: George Kalinsky
Title: "The Fight of the Century" Madison Square Garden, March 8, 1971
Year created: 1971
Medium: Archival Limited Edition Photograph, Signed by the Photographer and Co-Signed by Ali & Frazier
Edition: Hand-Signed by the Photographer, Limited Edition #27/250; and co-signed by Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Height (inches): 36
Width (inches): 31
Depth (inches): 1-1/4
Signed by the artist
Signed by Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
Signed Area: front
Description of piece:
Collect this rare, grand-format triple-signed George Kalinsky photograph capturing Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971, the historic “Fight of the Century”!
Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, billed as The Fight of the Century, was an historic heavyweight championship boxing match between WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali, on March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Widely regarded as the biggest and most momentous boxing match in history, and arguably the single most anticipated and publicized sporting event ever. It was the first time that two undefeated boxers who held or had held the world Heavyweight title faced off against each other for that title.
Renowned sports, celebrity, and political photographer George Kalinsky was there to capture the action. This magnificently presented large-format image is one of the most iconic and celebrated images from that day.
Numbered 27 from the very small limited edition of only 250 pieces, the photograph is signed by the photographer, George Kalinsky, lower right margin, in pencil. Additionally, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier have each hand-signed the photo, lower center margin, each in bold marker.
Framed size measures 36” in height x 31” width x 1-1/4” depth in its original framing, with a freshly papered reverse side. The presentation bears a gold plaque which reads: “THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY” / MADISON SQUARE GARDEN / MARCH 8, 1971 / BY GEORGE KALINSKY / LIMITED EDITION #027/250
James Spence Authentication (JSA) has examined the signed, limited edition photograph, and determined that the signatures are authentic. The piece comes accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from JSA.
Artist bio:
Award winning photographer George Kalinsky is one of the most renowned image makers of our time, or anytime. His lens has captured some of the most important faces, places and events in the world of sports, entertainment and politics.
As the official photographer of Madison Square Garden and Radio City, he has created many iconic images, such as those of Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Luciano Pavarotti, Pope John Paul II, Billie Jean King, Bill Russell, Peggy Fleming, Mariano Rivera and Patrick Ewing— many of whom have stated that Kalinsky has taken their favorite photographs.
A few days after Frank Sinatra passed away in 1998, Tina Sinatra called George with tears in her voice to let him know that of all the photos that she has ever seen of his father, no one captured his essence as well as those taken by George Kalinsky.
In 2009, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame dedicated an exhibit of George’s iconic photos of rock stars including Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. In 2016, The New York Historical Society Museum unveiled the “I am King of the World” photographs of Muhammad Ali by George Kalinsky. This critically acclaimed exhibit visually portrays the close relationship that developed between the champ and the photographer throughout nearly 50 years of friendship.
Kalinsky was the first photographer to take candid photos of boxers doing what they do in their private world. Newspapers all over the world could not get enough of George’s candid boxing photos, and they were used as full pages on the front and back pages. Kalinsky’s work has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The International Center of Photography, The Olympus Plaza Gallery and, of course, Madison Square Garden where over 200,000 people attended the exhibition. Kalinsky has been honored with PMDA’s “International Photographer of the Year”, The National Arts Club Medal of Honor, Pratt Institute’s prestigious “Legend of the Year” award, and has been inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame.
Kalinsky has authored 10 books, 1,000 covers and photographed almost 10,000 events. One of his favorite shots is of his protégé, Frank Sinatra, shooting ringside and showing his big blue eyes at “The Fight of the Century”.