Muhammad Ali's Vietnam War draft card - famously unsigned by boxing icon - is put up for sale by Christie's as eye-watering price for historic item is revealed

4 hours ago 8

By WILL GRIFFEE

Published: 11:46 BST, 21 October 2025 | Updated: 11:48 BST, 21 October 2025

The Vietnam War draft card of boxing icon Muhammad Ali is for sale. 

Ali, who famously refused to sign the card and join the conflict, left the signature spot blank in a seismic act of defiance back in 1967. 

Now that slice of American and global history is for sale at Christie's Auction House and is listed with a guide price of up to £3.7million. 

Ali's stance was hugely polarising at the time and he was convicted of draft evasion, stripped of his heavyweight title and banned from boxing. 

'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong', he famously declared. 

Ali's ban at the height of his powers kept him out of the ring for three years in total and he appealed the conviction on the grounds of being a Muslim minister.

Muhammad Ali's draft card for the Vietnam War, famously unsigned, is up for sale

Ali's refusal to sign the card led to him being banned from boxing for three years

Ali, then Cassis Clay (right), is pictured with a newspaper indicating the level of opposition to the conflict in 1966 

A Supreme Court judgement was still hanging over him when he was allowed to return and fight Joe Frazier in 1971 but they ruled 8-0 in his favour and overturned the conviction.  

The draft card being sold gives Ali's birth name of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr - with his middle name incorrectly spelled as Marsellus. 

The legendary boxer changed his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam and the card was signed by the local draft board chairperson from Louisville. 

Ali's ultimate victory in the supreme court was a huge moment for the anti-war movement and saw his legacy become one of social justice as well as stardom in the ring. 

His daughter, Rasheda Ali Walsh, released a statement via the auction house, saying: 'Being reminded of my father's message of courage and conviction is more important now than ever, and the sale of his draft card at Christie's is a powerful way to share that legacy with the world.'

The card is currently on display at the Rockefeller Center in New York and a Christie's specialist added: 'This is a singular object associated with an important historical event that looms large in our shared popular culture.

'This is the first time collectors will be able to acquire a vital and intimate document connected to one of the most important figures of the last century.'

Ali died in 2016 aged 74 after a long fight against Parkinson's disease. Regarded as one of the biggest sporting stars of all-time, an estimated 100,000 took to the streets in his native Kentucky to chant his name when the hearse carrying him moved through the streets almost a decade ago. 

The starting bid for Ali's draft card on Christie's website is £2.24m ($3m)

The boxing icon, pictured punching George Foreman in 'The Rumble in the Jungle', became known as much for his anti-war stance and social justice as his fighting prowess 

Ali, pictured at George W Bush's inauguration in 2001, died in 2016 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease

Ali was a three-time world champion often seen as the best heavyweight of all time - named Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC and Sportsman of the century by Sports Illustrated. 

His 'Fight of the Century' against Frazier and 'Rumble in the Jungle' contest with George Foreman were watched by millions and have passed into boxing folklore. 

There is a week remaining for bidders to put in an offer on Ali's draft card, providing the starting amount of £2.24m is met. 

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