Muhammad Ali had already solidified his legacy as one of the greatest boxers in history by the time he faced Trevor Berbick on December 11, 1981, in Nassau, Bahamas. However, his health struggles, which many believe foreshadowed his later Parkinson's diagnosis, raised concerns about whether this highly publicized match was necessary. Despite the doubts, Ali, embodying the true spirit of a warrior, stepped into the ring for the bout known as the "Drama in Bahama." Unfortunately, the event received minimal television coverage and attracted a crowd of fewer than 7,500 spectators. Both fighters went the distance, but Ali ultimately lost by unanimous decision, marking the end of his illustrious professional boxing career and concluding the journey of one of America's most significant sports and cultural icons.
Offered here is the waist guard worn by Ali during the "Drama in Bahama" fight against Berbick. Crafted from red and black leather, the guard retains its original white laces at the back, with Ali's name prominently displayed in large white letters across the front. Notably, the right leg strap features the inscription "To Wali For Ali" in black ink, while "Hecha A Mano Por El 'Tio' Serrano 12-1-81 Los Angeles Calif" is noted beneath the white strap, with "Hand Made By 'El Tio' Serrano 12-1-81" inscribed on the cup. The left leg strap bears the same black ink markings, along with the additional note "Hecha A Mano 12-1-81 Los Angeles Calif" on the cup. The waist guard shows moderate wear but remains fully intact and comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Daria Muhammad, who confirms, “this athletic cup was owned by my father and passed to me upon his death. It has been in my possession until I sold it to Craig Hamilton of JO Sports, Inc. on April 4, 2012.” Furthermore, the waist guard includes an LOA from Craig Hamilton of JO Sports, Inc., ensuring its authenticity.