Late 1950's Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) Amateur Training Worn Shoes. Standard black leather boxing shoes carried a young Cassius Clay during an early portion of his remarkable journey from poverty and anonymity to the Heavyweight Championship of the World and sports immortality. They derive from the famous Columbia Street Gym in Louisville, Kentucky, where Clay was taught by Joe Martin, a Louisville policeman who took young Cassius under his wing after meeting the tearful youngster following the theft of his bicycle. As Clay rose through the boxing ranks, first as a Golden Gloves Champion and later as Heavyweight Champion of the World, these shoes were on display at the gym to inspire other Louisville youngsters to achieve their dreams.

The size 12 shoes are attributed to Clay by a vintage "CC" notation on the "Tuf-Wear" label at interior tongue of the right. The shoes exhibit solid wear but no damage, and are accompanied by a signed and notarized letter of provenance from Jole Martin Burghy, daughter of Joe Martin, leader of the Louisville Golden Gloves program at the Columbia Street Gym. Letter of provenance from Jole Martin Burghy.