Follow Up: Heavyweight Bids for Muhammad Ali’s Training Camp Hits $5 million on EBay

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RISMEDIA, July 30, 2007—With only six days left to bid,  Muhammad Ali’s Training camp is currently at a heavyweight $5 million.  Starting at a base amount of $100,000 the camp has jumped with a total of 191 bids from around the country to $5 million. 

This property has only changed ownership one time in 35 years.  Originally owned and built by the former World Champion, this property is rich with personal and sports history.  The property is presented for sale due to a divorce settlement by Ali’s former workout partner, George Dillman.  George Dillman is a famous martial arts leader in the world.  It is the hope of George Dillman that the fortunate new owner will be able to preserve the historic camp with the camp’s future.

Looking for a place to train in peace, Ali chose a property in the Blue Mountains of Deer Lake, PA for its beauty, breathtaking views, and tranquil setting.  Within close proximity of the camp, the area offers adventurous recreational choices such as numerous ski and golf resorts, fly fishing, white water rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, horse back riding, or one can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at a winery or spa. Located only one hour from Philadelphia, 20 minutes from Reading, PA, 30 minutes from Allentown, and two hours from New York City.

Ali trained and lived at this location from 1972 until the end of his career in the 80’s.  Here he prepared for such opponents as Joe Frazier and George Foreman.  Apparently the tranquil surroundings agreed with the champ as he was undefeated from the time he began training there until his retirement. 

The property has 18 building/log cabins to lodge up to 100 people.  Ali had built a spacious ranch house for himself, an additional cabin for his wife and children, a cabin for his parents, a chapel, a gym, a kitchen/dining hall, a 5-stall horse barn, 8 guest cabins, and 3 additional buildings.  

This camp is full of personal Ali history/memorabilia reflecting his bright and monumental career. Over the years, thousands have visited the camp from around the world where they watched Ali train and mingle with the leading figures of the time.  A small list of Celebrities included:

Sylvester Stallone (who is rumored to have lived at the camp while writing Rocky)
Frank Sinatra
Elvis Presley
Dizzy Gillespie
Andy Warhol

Fighters who trained there included Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes, and in later years, a young Mike Tyson.

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