Uncommon pairing of official trilingual boxing programs from the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics, including: a program for the boxing competitions held at the Palazzo dello Sport arena in Rome, Italy, between August 25th and September 3rd, 40 pages, 6 x 8.25, which contains lists of Olympic committee members, a match schedule, participating nations by weight category, boxer names by weight class (including light heavyweight fighter Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali), and weight class brackets, which have been filled out in ballpoint by the original owner; and a ‘Regulations’ booklet for Boxing at the ‘Games of the XVII Olympiad,’ 25 pages, 5.25 x 7.25, containing sections in English, Italian, and French related to rules, governing bodies, entries, prizes, weight categories, and the schedule. In fine condition.
Holding an amateur record of 100-5, with six Kentucky Golden Gloves championships and successive National Amateur Athletic Union and Golden Gloves titles, Cassius Clay entered the 1960 Olympic Summer Games as one of America's most vaunted amateur fighters. Declared by Sports Illustrated as the USA’s best hope for a medal in boxing, Clay arrived in Rome as an ebullient 18-year-old from Louisville eager to impress, his cordial and outgoing manner earning him the nickname 'the mayor of the Olympic Village.'
This popularity carried over into the competition, with crowds cheering the young boxer as he danced and throttled his way past experienced boxers from Belgium, Russia, and Australia, culminating in a meet-up with Zbigniew ‘Ziggy’ Pietrzykowski in the gold medal match. Clay got off to a slow start, seemingly confused by his opponent's southpaw style, but found his form and momentum in the final rounds to secure a convincing victory.
According to British journalist John Cottrell: 'This sharper, better co-ordinated Clay stormed back with a torrent of combination punching which left Pietrzykowski dazed. He no longer relied too much on his left jab, but made equal use of his right to penetrate the southpaw’s guard. Ripping into the stamina-lacking Pole, he drew blood and came preciously close to scoring a knockout. At the final bell, Pietrzykowski was slumped helplessly against the ropes. There was no doubting the verdict. All the judges made Clay the points winner.'
