53 years ago today, May 25, 1965, Cassius Clay knocked out Sonny Liston in one of the craziest and most controversial boxing matches in history. And it all happened at the Central Maine Civic Center in Lewiston, now the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. This was a rematch from their first fight in Miami, and because of Clay's new affiliation with the Black Muslims, no other boxing commission in the country would take the fight. It was a crazy night in Lewiston. The place was only half-full because of the perceived threat of violence. Legend says an allegedly intoxicated Robert Goulet sang the National Anthem that night. And of course, there was much controversy on whether Liston was even hit at all on that knock out blow. YOU be the judge. It all happened in the first minute of the first round!

The fight created one of the most iconic photos in all of Sports. Some have painted it too  like this man, from Ali's funeral:

 

Funeral Held For Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali In His Hometown Of Louisville, Kentucky
Getty Images
loading...

More From 102.9 WBLM