On a regular basis, I am frequently requested to provide my opinion on a signed item of Muhammad Ali, also known as Cassius Clay. These signed pictures are commonly found in larger sizes and were sold in the early 2000s by multiple sellers in the UK. Many of these items were falsely advertised as "Champions Forever" with other forged boxing signatures.
The same image is repeatedly being circulated, and with a little research, buyers would discover that these items were actually signed by John Olsen in the USA, not by Muhammad Ali. Most of the ones I have seen in the UK come with a COA from a now-defunct gallery in Bournemouth, but they continue to appear on eBay frequently.
John Olsen was the mastermind behind the creation of these fraudulent items, which were then sold through numerous dealers in the United States and to various individuals in the United Kingdom. According to Kevin Nelson, the author of "Operation Bullpen," and the FBI, Olsen is believed to have produced over 10,000 of these fake items during his career as a forger, ultimately leading to his imprisonment. However, there are rumours that he has since been released and has resumed his forgery activities.
If you are interested in purchasing any signed item by Ali, it is important to carefully examine the "Olsen Ali" signature displayed here, as John Olsen's style remained consistent during the period in which he created these signatures. This website and the internet contain more information about John Olsen and 'Operation Bullpen'
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