words by Elizabeth Ganley-Roper
For the 17th anniversary of the Charity Celebrity Fight Night, and in honour of Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday, the Italian luxury pen manufacturer Montegrappa has created the unique “Thrilla In Manilla” (inspired by the famous boxing match between Ali and Joe Frazier fought in 1975).
Decorated with a male muscular figure and the Celebrity Fight Night logo, the pen is made of 18-carat gold and the top cap is ringed with diamonds. Accompanied by a luxury wooden box, the pen also comes with a metal plaque engraved with an Ali logo. Its estimated worth is over $45,000 and it will be added to the list of the world’s most expensive pens.
The charity event has helped raise over $70 million for various causes, including the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Centre at Barrow Neurological Institute. During the event, on the 24th of March, the pen will be presented at auction by the famous boxer.
Montregrappa was the first Italian pen manufacturer and has been manufacturing pens in Bassano del Grappa (Veneto) since 1912. Italian leaders such as Victor Emmanuel II and Benito Mussolini used Montegrappa pens to sign key documents. Today, numerous politicians and celebrities continue to choose the Italian luxury pens as their preferred brand.
