Greatest Boxing

On February 25, 1964, the boxing world witnessed one of the most shocking upsets in history as Cassius Clay, as he was before changing his name, the 22-year-old challenger, defeated the formidable Sonny Liston to claim the World Heavyweight Championship in Miami Beach. Liston, renowned for his ferocity and regarded as the most intimidating boxer of his era, had demolished Floyd Patterson in back-to-back first-round knockouts. With a reputation for being nearly invincible, Liston was heavily favoured to retain his title against the brash and flamboyant Clay.

Liston, the dominant heavyweight, had systematically taken down eight of the top 10 ranked contenders, seven by knockout. Many fighters avoided him, underscoring his menacing presence in the ring. However, Clay, dubbed “The Louisville Lip” for his outspoken nature, seemed unfazed by Liston’s fearsome reputation. Despite being an 8-to-1 underdog, Clay exuded confidence and taunted Liston relentlessly in the lead-up to the fight.

The bout began with Liston aggressively seeking a quick victory, but Clay’s speed and agility quickly became evident. Evading Liston’s powerful blows, Clay showcased superior movement and precision. By the third round, Clay had inflicted significant damage, cutting Liston under both eyes—an unprecedented sight. Liston, who had never been cut before, found himself struggling to land effective punches on his elusive opponent.

In a dramatic turn of events during the fourth round, Clay experienced a burning sensation in his eyes, later believed to be caused by a foreign substance. Despite his impaired vision, Clay managed to survive the round by skilfully avoiding Liston’s attacks. By the sixth round, Clay had regained his composure and continued to outbox the champion, landing combinations with ease.

As the seventh round began, Liston, suffering from a shoulder injury and exhausted, remained on his stool, unable to continue. Clay was declared the winner by technical knockout, making Liston the first heavyweight champion to retire on his stool since 1919. The young challenger’s victory stunned the sportswriters at ringside, most of whom had predicted a Liston win.

Clay’s exuberant celebration, declaring himself “The Greatest” and “I shook up the world,” marked the dawn of a new era in boxing. Shortly after his triumph, Clay announced his membership in the Nation of Islam and adopted the name Muhammad Ali, signalling the beginning of his journey as a cultural and sports icon. This historic bout not only redefined Clay’s career but also left an indelible mark on the sport of boxing.

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Filed under: Heavyweight - @ February 25, 1964 11:59 pm

Tags: Muhammad Ali, Sonny Liston