"Ali vs. Frazier"   Lot no. 4286

On January 28, 1974, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier were set to box each other at Madison Square Garden. The trilogy between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier is debatably the most famous three-fight series in boxing history.

Frazier had beaten Ali in 1971, causing Muhammad Ali to take a step back to some degree. Between the first and second bouts, Ali had a pair of rough nights with boxer Ken Norton, first in 1973 and then later in the same year. However, Muhammad’s goal had always been to get back to Joe Frazier, and he did. Muhammad Ali ended up beating Frazier in 1974 in a 12-round unanimous decision. This beautiful illustration by Ron Lesser depicts Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali going punch for punch.

On January 23, 1974 (5 days before the rematch), Ali and Frazier visited the ABC studios in New York City to review their first fight for ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Upon arrival, Ali’s frequent taunting prompted Frazier to throw a punch at him and the two boxers wrestled on the floor until being separated by their entourage members. Both fighters were subsequently fined for this and the stage was set for their rematch in the ring.
ABC's Wide World of Sports was known as the viewing home for Muhammad Ali and other professional boxers. Many of these events aired under the Wide World of Sports banner which began on April 11, 1964, when challenger Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeated champion Sonny Liston in the seventh round.

While growing up, Ron Lesser was recognized for his artistic potential. He was admitted into New York's High School of Music and Art and later the Pratt Institute of Art and the Art Students League, studying under the influential teacher, Frank J. Reilly.

Drawing on his extensive fine art background, and inspired by the great classical painters such as N.C. Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Tom Lovell and others, Ron focuses on historical paintings of high visual impact and strong characterizations. He creates paintings inspired by his fascination of the culture and environment of his subject matter. These paintings bring back the important and often exciting moments that existed in the 19th century. While giving attention to detail, a devotion to strong and dramatic compositions coupled with a unique creative vision sets a Ron Lesser painting apart. This overall impact transports the viewer to another time and place. "I'm trying to tell a story. I like people to look at one of my paintings and feel like they could step into the scene."

Lesser created Western movie art for "High Plains Drifter," "Paint Your Wagon," "The Way West," and the story boards for the dream sequence in "A Man Called Horse." He has painted the covers of Western book authors such as Louis L'Amour, Luke Short, Will Cook, Gordon Shirreffs and others. Ron's "Spirit of the Warrior" and "Famous Generals of the Civil War" plate collection are his singular vision of Native American life and the majesty of the Civil War generals.

The highly respected New York Art Directors Club, in existence since 1921, has twice honored Lesser for Best Movie Art of the Year. The Society of Illustrators, founded in 1901 with members whose works of art have been exhibited and collected worldwide, has bestowed, many times, the coveted Gold Medal for his paintings exhibited at the Society over the years.