closed box of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferrantoclosed box of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferrantoopen box with lid of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferrantobox plus contents of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferrantodetail of of "The Real Fight of the Century," painted figures of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in boxing ring by Matt Ferrantodetail of of "The Real Fight of the Century," painted figures of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali by Matt Ferranto
closed box of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferranto
closed box of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferranto
open box with lid of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferranto
box plus contents of "The Real Fight of the Century," boxed set with two painted figures plus boxing ring by Matt Ferranto
detail of of "The Real Fight of the Century," painted figures of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in boxing ring by Matt Ferranto
detail of of "The Real Fight of the Century," painted figures of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali by Matt Ferranto

The Real Fight of the Century

2016–20
acrylic on polymer clay, wood + plastic
box 8 ¼ x 4½ x 4 inches
standing figures approximately 2 ¼ inches high

A fantasy (re)match where both fighters wear their best trunks—Ali in iconic white and black, Frazier in lime green and gold. The box borrows from the original fight poster, but the moment never happened. It’s not revisionist history exactly, just a small suggestion for the sports gods.