Azumah Nelson
World Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee & Three-Weight World Champion · Boxing - Professional
WBC Super-Featherweight / WBC Featherweight Champion
Era
Likely signed in the 1990s to early 2000s; matches his peak fame and post-retirement signature style.
Item Type
Signed Index Card
Condition
Excellent/Near Mint. The autograph is bold with no fading; the index card shows minor age-toning but remains crisp inside the protective holder.
Rarity
Moderate. While Nelson was a reasonably frequent signer during his travel for boxing events, high-quality, third-party authenticated examples are not common.
Overall Assessment
A high-quality, authenticated example of a boxing legend. Ideal for a Hall of Fame collection or a fan of international boxing history. Rated 9/10 for reliability.
Authenticity Assessment
Highly likely authentic. The piece is encapsulated and certified by PSA/DNA (Cert #83340835), the industry leader in autograph authentication.
Signature Style
Stylized script; features a large, looped 'A' that dominates the first half of the signature, followed by a legible 'nelson' with a distinctive terminating flourish.
Signature Characteristics
Natural flow with high speed; minimal pen lift between the 'A' and 'nelson'. Pressure is consistent throughout the stroke.
Ink & Medium
Blue ballpoint pen on a plain white index card. Ink appears consistent with standard 1990s-era pens with no significant bleeding.
Item Description
A standard 3x5 white unlined index card, signed centrally in blue ink and housed in a PSA/DNA sonically sealed protective slab.
Estimated Value
$60 - $120 USD. Certified boxing index cards from Hall of Famers typically trade in this range depending on the specific collector demand.
Comparison to Known Examples
Exhibits the exact baseline slant and loop-to-letter ratio seen in other PSA-authenticated Azumah Nelson pieces from the late 20th century.
Authentication Tips
Look for the very specific looping pattern of the 'A' which should overlap the vertical stem. The 'n' in Nelson typically looks like a single fluid wave.
Certification Recommendation
Already certified by PSA/DNA; further certification is unnecessary.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed. The PSA/DNA certification and slab provide high security against forgery.
Provenance Notes
Item is part of the PSA/DNA registry. Direct provenance history is superseded by the third-party authentication record.
Historical Context
Widely considered the greatest African boxer of all time, Nelson's signature represents a golden era of the WBC Super-Featherweight division.
Market Trends
Stable. Boxing memorabilia values for 'The Professor' remain consistent among enthusiasts of 80s and 90s pugilism.
Investment Potential
Low to Moderate. While a legend, boxing index cards are generally seen as 'set fillers' rather than high-growth assets, making this a stable 'hold'.
Similar Autographs
Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez, Wilfredo Gomez, Jeff Fenech.
Display & Preservation
The PSA slab provides UV protection and physical security. Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent the blue ballpoint ink from fading.
Interesting Facts
Nelson often signed with the nickname 'The Professor' later in life; this particular example is a cleaner version of his standard competitive-era signature.