What round did Ali knock down Liston?
On February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius Clay shocks the odds-makers by dethroning world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston in a seventh-round technical knockout. The dreaded Liston, who had twice demolished former champ Floyd Patterson in one round, was an 8-to-1 favorite.
How did Ali defeat Liston?
The phantom/anchor punch. The ending of the second Ali-Liston fight remains one of the most controversial in boxing history. Midway through the first round, Liston threw a left jab and Ali supposedly went over it with a fast right, knocking the former champion down.
Did Sonny Liston really shoot at Ali?
Sonny Liston shot a gun at Muhammad Ali That saw him drive a big red bus to Liston’s home that read, “Sonny Liston is a great but will fall in eight” along with the words “World’s most colorful fighter Cassius Clay.”
Were Muhammad Ali fights fixed?
According to an in-depth piece from the Washington Times citing decades-old FBI documents, the Feds suspected that the 1964 fight between Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, and Sonny Liston was rigged. Clay won in a six-round bout after Liston retired due to a shoulder injury — a fact that has since been questioned.
What did Ali say to Liston?
The ‘phantom punch’ as it is now known, enraged Ali as he stood over the stricken Liston on the canvas and screamed in his face: “You’re supposed to be so bad! Nobody will believe this!”
Did Muhammad Ali ever lose to Joe Frazier?
In 1971, Muhammad Ali was on his 32nd winning streak when he fought and lost to Joe Frasier in New York City via a unanimous decision. Since then, Muhammad Ali lost to five more equally great boxers before finally retiring.
Did Muhammad Ali beat Liston?
Muhammad Ali first beat Liston for the heavyweight crown in 1964, but it was the second find that cemented his legacy in boxing history.
Did Muhammad Ali knock out Sonny Liston with a phantom punch?
From the SI Vault: Tex Maule’s account of Muhammad Ali’s knockout of Sonny Liston in their heavyweight title bout on May 25, 1965, and why there was no phantom punch. This story first appeared in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s June 7, 1965 issue.
Who knocked Muhammad Ali down the first time?
Sonny Banks : The first time Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) was ever knocked down was by Sonny Banks in the first round of their fight in 1962. It was just Ali’s 11th fight in the pro ranks, headlining at Madison Square Garden, New York.
How did Clay defeat Liston by knockout?
The knockout punch itself was thrown with the amazing speed that differentiates Clay from any other heavyweight. He leaned away from one of Liston’s ponderous, pawing left jabs, planted his left foot solidly and whipped his right hand over Liston’s left arm and into the side of Liston’s jaw.