On February 26, 1964, the day after a 22-year-old Cassius Clay defeated Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston and claimed his belt, young Cassius Clay, now the new heavyweight champion, confirmed reports that he had become a member of the Nation of Islam. With Malcolm X at his side, the champ told reporters that he had renounced his surname, which he called his “slave name,” and would be known as “Cassius X” until Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad gave him a holy name. That name, Muhammad Ali, was bestowed on March 6, 1964.

This "Cassius X" signed Everlast glove is one of the most rare signatures in the world. Signed by Muhammad Ali at the International Boxing Hall of Fame induction in 1990, this signature reflects an 8 day time period in Muhammad Ali's life where he not only became the world heavyweight champion for the first time, but publicly announced his faith to the Nation of Islam and renounced his given name of Cassius Clay.