The Wegerich Fine Art Collection is showing boxing art for the first time at the Discovery Art Fair Frankfurt – with works from Ali to Schmeling.
The Wegerich Fine Art Collection, which is considered the world’s most important art collection on the subject of boxing, will be presenting selected works for the first time at an art fair with international participation from November 6 to 9, 2025: the Discovery Art Fair Frankfurt.
The collection comprises over 100 original works of art from the 1930s to the present day. Brought together by Frankfurt lawyer Ingo Wegerich, it combines artistic excellence with cultural and historical significance. Each work is an original and depicts legendary fighters and unforgettable bouts – from Joe Louis and Max Schmeling to Muhammad Ali and the world champions of today. Many works have been commissioned as official artworks for major international fights or have graced the covers of major magazines. Following initial exhibitions, including last year at the German Sports & Olympic Museum in Cologne, the collection is now being presented to a wider art public for the first time at an art fair.
“I am delighted to be able to present works from our collection to a wider art audience for the first time at the Discovery Art Fair,” says Ingo Wegerich. “The pictures are not only artistically impressive, but also bear witness to sporting and contemporary history – in some cases even world history.”
Highlights of the exhibition
On display is an original painting by Max Schmeling from 1936, which adorned the cover of the American Ring Magazine, the “bible of boxing”, after his victory over Joe Louis. The two fights between Louis and Schmeling were also perceived at the time as a symbolic confrontation between “free America” and National Socialist Germany and are still considered events of global political significance today.
Also on display is a work by Muhammad Ali from 1967, which deals with his conscientious objection to military service and appeared on the cover of Ring Magazine. Ali’s stance had great political significance at the time and is still relevant in view of today’s global conflicts. Another highlight is the original painting commissioned by the organizers for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor fight (2017) – one of the most successful pay-per-view events in history with over 600 million US dollars in revenue in the United States alone. The artwork is by Richard T. Slone, the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The artwork on display is not for sale. “These pictures cannot be measured in money,” emphasizes Wegerich.