It is the most basic of athletic contests: two opponents alone in a ring, depending only on their sheer strength, skills and stamina to achieve victory, unassisted by gadgetry, teammates, and equipment. Whether it is a high profile match in a celebrity-filled arena or an amateur contest in a neighbourhood gym, the sport is as pure as there is, pitting man against man, blow against blow. Boxing is one of the oldest sports, and it was included in the Olympics of ancient Greece. In 1857, the Queensberry rules - which still govern boxing today - were established. In 1897, the last sanctioned bare-fisted match was held in America, as boxing gloves became standard equipment. Anheuser-Busch has been a long time sponsor of boxing - both professional and amateur. The company has brought fans some of the most famous heavyweight matches in modern history and has supported such amateur venues as Golden Glove Tournaments and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Now to celebrate Budweiser's long running involvement with boxing comes a classic die-cast model of one of the most coveted automobiles of all time - the 1957 Chevy Bel Air. Your Budweiser "Boxing" Bel Air is precision-engineered and marked with authentic Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser and boxing graphics. This dynamic model is produced by - and available only from - Matchbox Collectibles.

CHEVROLET is a General Motors trademark used under license to Mattel, Inc © 1999 Anheuser-Busch, Inc.

(1999)

Scale: 1:43