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The Phantom Punch: Muhammed Ali's Maine Event
The Phantom Punch Muhammed Ali's Maine Event Author:Robert Sneddon The two bouts between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston are widely considered the most anticipated and controversial fights in heavyweight boxing. Cassius Clay won the first bout in Miami Beach in February 1964, when Liston refused to come out for the seventh round. The second fight took place in Lewiston, Maine, fifteen months later in May 1965. Ha... more »lfway through the first round, Ali countered a left from Liston with a fast right, knocking Liston down. He did not get up. Ali?s right was so fast many spectators never even saw it. It was quickly dubbed the Phantom Punch and rumors began to swirl that Liston had thrown the fight. Many who believed Liston?a brutal fighter who picked up boxing in prison?had also thrown the first fight the year before in Miami were now vindicated.
What were the events leading up to the second fight, which confirmed Ali?s place as Heavyweight Champion, and why did a match worthy of Madison Square Garden between two powerhouse boxers come to take place in Lewiston, Maine? Now, journalist and sports historian Rob Sneddon goes behind the scenes of the fight. He brings new perspective to the world of boxing in the 1960s, to the managers, teamsters, promoters, boxers, and the fight itself?a fight that remains both a key milestone in the history of sports in Maine and the most controversial bout in boxing history.« less