Ali’s Return To Old High School Blemished By Auction

Muhammad Ali made a sentimental journey to his old high school Wednesday, reveling in memories but upset over plans by an auction house to sell items that the boxing great contends were taken from him.

Many of Ali’s items will be auctioned in Los Angeles next month, and the ex-champ wants them back.

The cherished personal souvenirs are among more than 3,000 items from the boxing great’s career that are to go on the block at Christie’s on Oct. 19. Ali and his wife, Lonnie, are not involved in the auction and do not plan to buy anything.

Asked if he wanted some items back for a museum planned in Louisville to honor him, Ali replied, “I wouldn’t mind, but it’s nothing to cry over.”

Items include his 1960 Golden Gloves trophy, which could draw at least $30,000, and an Aug. 23, 1966 letter Ali wrote to the draft board requesting new classification.

It was the last letter sent before he refused induction. That action cost him his boxing title, got him banned from competition and made him a national hero to some and a draft-dodger to others.

The former heavyweight champion conjured flashes from his past in a sentimental return to Central High School, firing jabs at a young boxer amid cheers from students.

“This is his high school,” Central High School principal Harold Fenderson said. “He is excited about being here. He is the greatest champ of all time.”

It was part of Ali’s return to his hometown this week to attend an amateur boxing tournament and tribute named in his honor.

At Central High, Ali was known as up-and-coming amateur boxer Cassius Clay. He graduated before winning the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics at Rome.

The champ displayed his skills as a crowd pleaser, basking in chants of “Ali, Ali” from students. He thrilled the crowd when he picked out light middleweight Tommie Stepp from a lineup of U.S. amateur boxers taking part in the Ali Cup tournament who shared the stage with the champ.

Ali mockingly snapped off a series of jabs at Stepp, backing him up.

“I was overwhelmed with joy,” Stepp, 27, of Atlanta said of facing off briefly with Ali. “(He was) the greatest fighter who ever lived.”

Students later surrounded Ali in the hall, posing for pictures and calling his name.