On 4 December 1961, Convention Hall in Philadelphia hosted a heavyweight contest that barely had time to settle before it was over. Sonny Liston delivered a swift and emphatic knockout of Albert Westphal, ending the scheduled ten-round bout at just 1:58 of the opening round. The result further underlined Liston’s standing as one of the division’s most destructive forces at the time.

The contest carried added significance as part of boxing’s first closed-circuit doubleheader, screened across hundreds of theatres in the United States and Canada. While half a million seats were available to viewers away from the arena, around 4,000 spectators paid to witness events in person, generating a $25,000 gate at Convention Hall. Liston, the clear favourite at 10–1, collected a purse of $75,000, while Westphal earned $12,000 for the night’s work.

There was a brief delay before the opening bell, caused by issues with the gloves provided for Liston, but once resolved the action was brutally efficient. Liston, weighing 212 pounds, towered over the 195-pound Westphal and immediately took control with sharp, accurate punches. Westphal, a former German heavyweight champion, attempted to circle away and find space, but he struggled to avoid Liston’s reach and timing.

The end came suddenly. A clean combination punctuated by a powerful right hand caught Westphal flush on the jaw, sending him to the canvas for the first knockdown of his professional career. Referee Zach Clayton administered the count, but there was no response. The bout was waved off before the two-minute mark, confirming a knockout victory that left no room for debate.

Westphal required several moments to recover after the fall, a testament to the force of the finishing blow. For Liston, it was another early night’s work, adding to a record already packed with stoppage wins. The Philadelphia native had built a reputation for ending fights quickly, and this performance did nothing to soften that image.

This appearance also followed a successful outing earlier in 1961, when Liston had recorded a convincing victory in his previous fight, continuing a run of form that saw him regularly overwhelm experienced heavyweights. Against Westphal, he showed no signs of complacency, pressing forward from the opening seconds and giving his opponent little opportunity to establish himself.

The bout was overseen by judges Nick Spano and Jim Mina, though their scorecards were never required. Clayton’s intervention ensured proceedings ended safely once it became clear Westphal could not continue.

In summary, the night belonged entirely to Liston, whose power and precision were on full display. Westphal arrived with solid credentials and ambition, but left having experienced his first defeat by knockout. On this December evening in Philadelphia, Sonny Liston and Albert Westphal shared the ring only briefly, yet the outcome was decisive and unforgettable.