Clay vs Liston 1 Poster Tshirt

The 1964 heavyweight championship bout between Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) and Sonny Liston was a highly anticipated match that captured the attention of boxing fans worldwide. The bout took place on February 25, 1964, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida, and was notable for its stunning upset and the controversy surrounding it.

Liston was the heavy favourite in the match, with an impressive record of 35 wins, one loss, and one draw. Clay, on the other hand, had a record of 19 wins and no losses but was considered by many to be a brash young upstart who was in over his head. However, Clay was confident in his abilities and predicted that he would “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” to defeat Liston.

Clay’s speed and agility were on full display from the opening bell as he danced around the ring and landed quick jabs and combinations on Liston. Liston, for his part, was unable to catch Clay with his trademark power punches and seemed frustrated by Clay’s unorthodox style.

In the sixth round, Clay’s superior conditioning began to take its toll on Liston, who began to tire and lose steam. At the end of the sixth round, Liston’s trainer applied a substance to his gloves, which some observers believed was illegal, such as liniment or a coagulant. Liston came out for the seventh round with renewed vigour, but Clay continued to land punches and avoid Liston’s attacks.

Midway through the seventh round, Liston suddenly backed away and refused to continue, claiming a shoulder injury. Clay was declared the winner by TKO and celebrated in the ring with his cornermen and fans.

The victory was a stunning upset, and many boxing experts were surprised by Clay’s dominant performance. However, the controversy surrounding Liston’s injury and the alleged use of illegal substances on his gloves overshadowed the match. It led to a rematch the following year, which Ali won in another upset victory.

In conclusion, the Clay vs Liston match of 1964 was a significant moment in the history of boxing, marked by a stunning upset and controversy surrounding Liston’s injury and alleged use of illegal substances. The match cemented Ali’s status as a rising star in the sport and paved the way for his legendary career as one of the greatest boxers of all time.