Long before Super Bowls and NBA championships, even World Series and
Grand Slams, there was the heavyweight championship of the world. The fight
for that lofty title, that gilded belt, marks time like few sporting
events. The winner assumes unparalleled glory. The champeen has been a symbol
of nationalism and, to others, race. Boxing fans and memorabilia
collectors are created from this atmosphere. They are relatively few in number --
less than 1,000 -- but the idea of gathering autographs from champion boxers
seems to have gained momentum in recent years. Jerome Shochet, Andy
Imperato and Jim Stinson are three people whose passion for the ring
has translated into both personal collections and fodder for the
collectibles trade.
Long before Super Bowls and NBA championships, even World Series and
Grand Slams, there was the heavyweight championship of the world. The fight
for that lofty title, that gilded belt, marks time like few sporting
events. The winner assumes unparalleled glory. The champeen has been a symbol
of nationalism and, to others, race. Boxing fans and memorabilia
collectors are created from this atmosphere. They are relatively few in number --
less than 1,000 -- but the idea of gathering autographs from champion boxers
seems to have gained momentum in recent years. Jerome Shochet, Andy
Imperato and Jim Stinson are three people whose passion for the ring
has translated into both personal collections and fodder for the
collectibles trade.