Two of Muhammad Ali’s most legendary bouts are being immortalized once again — this time on the auction block.
Heritage Auctions’ Winter Platinum Sports Auction features two original LeRoy Neiman paintings depicting the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thrilla in Manila,” each estimated at about $400,000.
More than sports art, the works capture a defining era when Ali dominated the global stage and fight spectacles became cultural events, blending athletic greatness, celebrity, and visual storytelling into enduring pieces of history.
Mike Provenzale, Heritage Sports Dept. Operation Manager, had some time to chat with The 702 Vegas about the auction, paintings, and why Vegas holds such a special place in Ali’s history.
Two Muhammed Ali Paintings Are Up For Auction Until The End Of February
If you’ve always wanted a painting of Muhammed Ali or a painting from LeRoy Neiman, now’s your chance. Not one, but two paintings are up for auction through the month of February.
“These are two of the most significant boxing items that exist and they come directly from Don King, who’s one of the biggest names in boxing history,” Provenzale told The 702 exclusively. “So right off the bat, that’s important. And then you add in the art aspect of LeRoy Neiman. These are LeRoy Neiman originals, both, and he’s one of the most noteworthy artists of all time, especially in the sports venue. For sports fans and sports collectors, he is the number one artist of all time, and it’s really not close.”
Both these paintings were created in the 1970s and have been in King’s collection ever since. The auction is the first opportunity for collectors to have a chance at owning them. They’ve never been offered publicly before, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Two Fights Portrayed Are Two Of The Most Famous Boxing Matches Of All Time
“Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thrilla in Manila” are two of the most famous boxing matches of all time. And even if you know nothing about boxing history, you likely know something about them or at least recognize them.
Provenzale said these fights have become “pop culture touchstones” and for boxing fans, they are “widely regarded as two of the most famous fights.”
“They’re two of the most important fights of all time. They’re two of the most important in Ali’s career,” he said. “Ali is the biggest name in boxing and in boxing collectibles. Seeing them in person is incredible. They’re just beautiful.”
These paintings were used in the promotion of the fights. King commissioned Neiman to do them, and they were used in broadcast posts and programs.
“I would anticipate both of these to go for at least half a million dollars each. The art market is very ripe,” he said. “Even if you don’t know anything about boxing, these are incredibly significant art pieces.”
LeRoy Nieman’s Style Is Unmistakable
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Nieman’s work is instantly recognizable the moment you see it.
His style is unmistakable—bold, expressive, and full of life. While he created art beyond the sports world, his deep love for athletics, particularly boxing, is unmistakable on the canvas. That passion elevates the work, making it feel less like a painting and more like a lived experience.
Though the image itself is static, it carries a cinematic quality, leaving you with the sensation that you’ve just watched something in motion. Up close, the thick, layered paint reveals the intensity of his process. Step back, and those heavy strokes come together to create a powerful illusion of movement.
“When you look up close, if you get right up next to it, the way he uses so much color and the movement, you can see the brush strokes in there,” Provenzale said. “If you’re really close, it almost looks abstract. And then when you back away, the image comes into focus and it’s instantly recognizable.”
The Importance Of ‘The Entertainment Capital Of The World’
When it comes to boxing, Vegas “is one of the most important cities in the world” according to Provenzale. He added that Vegas is “doing a great job in the last decade or so of really putting themselves into all the sports venues.”
Provenzale shared some insight into how Vegas plays a role in the paintings and where they could ultimately go at the end of the auction.
“A lot of people would say in the 70s, Vegas was the spot and you know they’ve had so many legendary fights. Ali has had some legendary fights there and Vegas has some of the best and most educated boxing fans in the world,” he said. “And when you combine that with the cultural aspect of Vegas, you know there’s a lot of great art collectors and just collectors period who live in Vegas, I think it’s going to have a lot of appeal to that Vegas base. Vegas is a great show town for people who are entertainers, and into that aspect of life, these works fit right into that.”
He added that he can see these paintings on display at a hotel or casino, and it wouldn’t surprise him at all if one or both paintings end up calling Vegas home.
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