Sonny Liston vs Cassius Clay (Muhummad Ali)

It was February 25, 1964, when the reign of ‘The Greatest’ began. Cassius Clay received little support from those in the boxing world. But the man who would be later known as Muhummad Ali, went onto become the most famous icon in all of the world, representing values that would later leave him as one of the most sentimental figures in modern history. Sonny Liston vs Cassius Clay.

Build up

The champion, Sonny Liston, had been ruling since 1962, after twice knocking out first round the former great champion, Floyd Patterson. Liston was seen as invincible. He was the first real heavyweight champion to project a truly formidable and intimidating demeanour. The cold stare he gave to his opponents before the fight, was becoming his trademark, further developing the aura of ferociousness that he took into the ring. Liston’s demeanour matched the violence he took into the ring, and he was dominating heavyweight contenders with an iron fist. This doesn’t mean he neglected ring intelligence though. Liston was a fighter that was generally quite patient, working behind the jab from the mid range before he found his opportunity to finish his opponents off.

Cassius Clay was extremely loud in the build up

The challenger on the other hand, was a beautiful dancer inside the ring. Cassius Clay utilised speedy footwork, that no doubt made his idol ‘the king, the master’ Sugar Ray Robinson proud. Despite his 6,2″ heavyweight frame, Clay had no problem dancing around the ring, firing quick shots that in the end broke his opponents will. Clay, who had been come to be known as the ‘Louisville Lip’, loudly proclaimed he would defeat Liston in 8, and launched vicious verbal assaults against the champion, taunting him for his ugly looks and slow feet. Critics however, were not impressed enough to think that the challenger, who was a 1960 Olympic gold medallist, could keep away from the seemingly invincible champion. They described Clay as ‘just talk’ and 43 out of 46 sportswriters anticipated Clay’s defeat.

Clay was known for his bold fight predictions

“Sonny Liston Will Go In Eight” Ali claimed. Liston, simply raised two fingers.

The Fight

The bout took place in Miami Beach, and the fight followed the early pattern that most expected: Clay utilised movement, accompanied by a quick jab and flashy combinations here and there. Liston on the other hand, had knockout intentions written all over his predatory pursuit of the challenger.

Clay was very elusive

However as the rounds went by, it was becoming apparent that Liston didn’t have the speed to match Clay’s. The problem for Liston was that he often needed to get set in his punches to generate power. But with Clay’s constant movement, and increasing accuracy, Liston was simply receiving punches and not giving off any off much meaning.

Liston’s first real opportunity came in the fifth round, after Clay was partially blinded after getting ointment in his eyes. It was believed to have come from Liston’s gloves, and Clay was complaining he couldn’t see. He even suggested that the bout be stopped, but his trainer Angelo Dundee motivated him into continuing, and telling him to simply just ‘run!’. Liston managed to get Clay within his sights, pounding away at his mid section with powerful punches, but Clay managed to survive the rest of the round.

Liston pounds Clay on the ropes

As Clay gradually got his vision back in  the sixth round, he seized back the initiative in the fight. Clay was getting increasingly accurate with his punches, dominating the champion while still remaining elusive. Eventually after the sixth round, Liston told his corner he could not continue due to a damaged shoulder, and the fight was stopped. The biggest upset of the decade had been complete.

Cassius Clay got stronger in the last couple rounds

Wild Celebrations After the Fight

Cassius Clay celebrates win

Immediately, Clay rushed over to the ropes, outstretching his arm and pointing to his critics, telling them ‘I am the greatest!’, ‘I told you I was gonna do it. I’m the king of the world!’. The energy in the stadium was frantic, and everyone in the crowds were trying to get closer to the new champion. He repeatedly proclaimed that he was the greatest of all time, telling the interviews ‘and I’ve just turned 22 years old! I must be the greatest!.’  Beneath all of the flashy proclamations from the young champion that simply drew even more critics then before, you couldn’t help but believe: maybe, and most likely, that this young confident kid is onto something.