The problem we all face, when buying an autograph of one of our heroes, and especially someone as famous as Muhammad Ali is, how we can be sure we are buying the genuine article. Price alone is not the only guarantee, (although if something is cheaper than everywhere else then commonsense should prevail!!).

Many people now sell their items with a photograph of themselves with the star signing the picture – sorry, again no guarantee, in fact Muhammad Ali’s organisation will not let photographs to be taken whilst he is signing, and informed us that this has been the case for a number of years now. The reason for this is because some people were faking Muhammad’s signature and using the photo repeatedly to suggest it was real. Therefore, Ali’s organisation set up OnlineAuthentics.com. The Autograph is registered at the time of the Signing onto the database.

During the registration process, their experts check the autograph is genuine and put an invisible mark on the piece with a security marker. An individually numbered sticker is then stuck on the autographed item. The next step is that the signature is scanned and registered on their data base, and a certificate is issued with the corresponding number to the sticker. To add further security, details are logged as to what has been signed (ie, a picture, book or glove etc.), the date, and place where the item was signed. A complete profile and image of the piece is stored online for anyone to see or check at any time. To check your item, simply go online – www.OnlineAuthentics.com, and enter the registration number that appears on your certificate - an image of the signature plus all the details of that piece will all be shown.