Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston 1965

Classic fight.

[@dbzfan62]

Look at the way Ali is moving. It's incredible.

[@solamon77]

Kamran Yeah, fighting Ali was like trying to fight smoke.

[@andrew7taylor]

@@solamon77 Beautifully put!

[@Decetop]

Interesting fact about this fight: both Ali and Liston were deathly afraid that they were going to get killed during it. Ali had received a number of threats and Liston had been approached by members of the Nation and had his family threatened. I remember I read about an interview where Ali said when he climbed in the ring he felt like someone was aiming a rifle at him, and Liston thought someone was going to put a bomb under the ring, or something like that.

[@weaseldragon]

That ko punch was blazing fast. Ali was an inspiration for Bruce Lee, who was awed by Ali's hand speed and foot work.

[@Qui7422]

that right was so quick I had to watch a few times. hahahahaha. his bee sting was fire.

[@DTthe4th]

His butterfly was a beast too. That footwork tho!

[@goil1666]

haha i also

[@swami1]

Slo-mo shows it was a very sharp, short right hand that caught Liston on the top of the forehead. It may have temporarily paralyzed him, much like Tyson's right did to Michael Spinks. Ali definitely hit him; the question was, did Sonny really want to get up?

[@andreacappuccio58]

+richard speck sonny took a dive. 100%.

[@fuggetabodit]

+Andrea Cappuccio I don't think he took a dive in either fight. Liston got in great shape for the fight and then Ali postponed for a hernia, Liston got out of shape again. I agree with Dempsey and Marciano when they said they didn't know how hard it was because they weren't hit with the punch. Marciano was knocked down, and wobbled real good by Archie Moore with the same punch. Liston did get up before 10 too. Anyone that was paying attention in the first fight knew Liston was going to get his ass kicked in the second fight. Liston might have just quit instead of taking a beating, hit head was pretty beat up looking after the first fight and he wasn't in the same shape. It might have been his way of telling boxing to kiss his ass.

[@swami1]

He did get into good shape, but the delay (after Ali's hernia) took a lot out of him. He was not a young man; might have been 40. Nobody really knew.

[@jazzmanchgo]

Ali landed a legitimate shot, and Liston was staggered. But that "fall" of his was pretty slo-mo and graceful, and his scuttling around the ring once he'd gone down looked like bad acting. On the other hand, Joe Walcott bles the count, so it's possible Liston simply decided to rest a few more seconds before getting up, then realized the count had actually been completed (by the timekeeper). Personally, I think Sonny knew he'd had it, he wasn't going to get very much money anyway (the Mob was siphoning off most of his paychecks), and he decided "F**ck it, it's not worth it, I'm going down." Ali would definitely have annihilated him if he'd kept going.

[@ChescoYT]

Just heard about the fight and came here to watch it to see what all the fuss is about to see if he really did dive. Here is my final analysis: 1) Its filmed at an angle that looks like Ali hit him in the temple, but actually upon further slow-mo playback, Ali's punch goes from being parallel of the temple down to connecting to the chin, which can knock-out a human's brain and would have to Sonny's. 2) The ref was the one that stopped it, if anything blame him. But he made the right call, cause he saw that Sonny wasn't fully alert. Proof of this can be confirmed by the later effects of... 3) ...at 4:47 Sonny is away from the action and yet is still feeling the effects of the blow by loosing his balance and walking backward one step by accident. My conclusion: This was all authentic!

[@bertelliish]

you're the only sober one commenting here

[@vk56datty]

Chesco nice conclusion!

[@MrDoubleKiller]

Saw a picture of Ali standing over Liston today at a restaurant and instantly had to look for this video. Pure awesomeness!

[@atmadc68]

this fight made my favorite poster in my room lol

[@DodongosCave]

i wonder how many people in the crowd are dead

[@PrincesseMary1]

OMG and here I thought I was the only one thinking about that lolll

[@aekonos]

Ali isnt dead fo'sho!

[@imacloud11]

Bhahaha xD

[@sirob9532]

***** lmao

[@nahasmuhammed7359]

you are right me also thinks like that

[@LilStutter]

R.I.P Muhammad

[@goil1666]

Muhammad Ali is still alive in my heart

[@gagansidhu242]

ɷɷɷ Heeyy Friendsssss I Have F0unddd W0rikingg Online Hacck visitttt : - t.co/0dKNDKdjdo

[@geralddubreucq1883]

Lil Stutter fuck Ali !

[@captain2ahab]

?

[@spec0013]

ali overcame more obstacles than we can imagine both in and out of the ring. he's a true inspiration. he is immortal.

[@elAfreet]

thanks for the upload

[@yunus1583]

He is legendary boxer. R.I.P Muhammad Ali

[@hammerbroksi3771]

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

[@GypsyKiller16]

+Crunchy Bumper Cars ayy lmao

[@deeagnol]

Love this fight, I got given a massive poster of the famous picture with Ali standing over Liston, it hangs in my room as motivation.

[@leftys408]

RIP GOAT -- so much a part of my youth. Greatest of all role models.

[@eali1650]

That was fast

[@Wernd91]

"Im A Bad Man" Ali was the all time champ

[@Kalllllllllllllllll1]

"If you wanna loose your money, then bet on Sonny!" - Muhammed Ali

[@leeisaacs8077]

RIP Muhammad Ali, one of the Greatest Ever! A Louisvillian from start to finish!

[@iamchillydogg]

Anyone who thinks this is a dive you can freaking HEAR the punch. It was so loud the announcer's mike picked it up!

[@2000Betelgeuse]

it was a dive....it is well documented that people were yelling it was a dive

[@iamchillydogg]

+2000Betelgeuse Oh well them that proves it.

[@xN33Dx]

He threw a right and got him straight in the nose, that can knock anyone down with one punch.

[@LogicNobility]

not my nose

[@TruthAlwaysPrevail12]

thxs

[@SaleemSirYT]

This shot always memorable inthe boxing history what a amazing shot

[@Junior-zv9vr]

Did I hear someone say "Fuck Ali" in 1:40

[@MrBon3sz]

Lmao I did too. It's funny cuz that guy can't beat Ali

[@MrBon3sz]

Lol he was very flamboyant with it

[@andreacappuccio58]

+junior novoa at 2:35 there he goes at it again! lol

[@janetagale397]

junior novoa

[@meph1570]

i just wanna ask, why Ali win it already? because Sonny is still standing after his fall. And still fighting before the referee stopped them. i'm sorry to ask, but i don't really understand about boxing.

[@DaNinjuh]

If you get knocked out like Sonny did, you need to get up, ready to fight, before the referee counts to 10 seconds. The ref couldn't start counting because Ali refused to go to his neutral corner, which is a rule that the fighter should if he knocks down the opponent. But after the two started fighting again, officials told the ref that it took Sonny 20 seconds to get up, so the ref stopped the fight and considered it a knock out.

[@rahsaantalley2012]

The mob was after his life, so he threw the fight.

[@xN33Dx]

Actually 8 seconds back then *

[@aesirfenix]

Joshua Miller 4:03 - 4:18 As said before, the referee lost the count, and when he went to check with the others, Ali and Liston resumed the fight, which was actually already over.

Yeaaaar! This was a fight. Blue click from me. Thank you for Upload. Best regards from Obatalá.

[@MrGW2fanboy]

I love how there's no commentary after the phantom punch, all that wut just has him stuck for words.

[@shepherd7583]

Even Ali is said to have asked, "Did I hit him?"

[@jasminetomca]

In his autobography, Howard Cosell quotes an old boxing writer who said: "The punch wouldn't have crushed a grape." But if you listen closely, you can hear the pop. I'm pretty sure it was legit. Ali had very long arms, so he had more leverage pushing more mass. Deceptive power. Then add speed and great technique. And catch the guy right on the button...

[@roybrowne1974]

no he did not

[@barryonefull728]

_DIVE_

[@barryonefull728]

oh all that really prooves is that ur a muff diver LOL!

[@barryonefull728]

Stop calling Zane Cecich an A hole !

[@bighossgaming6127]

most iconic photo picture ever!!!!

[@ismokeweed5077]

I was in second grade when this video was posted :OO

[@illafammovement]

READ in a article that the mob kidnapped sonnys kids and said he had to lose to see them again-I'm a ali fan but seriously that shit was fake the dive the roll even how he walked away you can see the I'm ready to get my check and bounce in his poster

[@likeclockwork6473]

I don't get why people are adamantly defending the win. Liston clearly took a dive since he wasn't knocked out less than a second after he was on the floor. You can see his hands go down to catch himself which isn't the response you'd get from someone who was just knocked out. Go watch Manny Pacquiao go out. He goes strait to the mat with his hands under his stomach as he goes down. That's how a knocked out person goes down. This is how someone diving goes down

[@tommyblack3958]

Does it matter, Ali would have destroyed him anyway.

[@SKATER29334]

He obviously wasn't completely KO'D. Just got hit really hard and lost just enough consciousness for his legs to start to give out, but not enough to be completely knocked out. Happens a lot, actually.

[@Colby_0-3_IRL_and_title_fights]

Just to point out that if Liston wanted to pretend to be knocked out he wouldn't have tried to get back up and take more punches... That shot clipped him on the chin and ended this fight. No debate.

[@DamienSheppard]

IDK Sam, Ali leaned back, right as Liston went for a kill shot (impeccably timed) and clocked Liston so fast that 50 years later we're still debating it....

[@alleycatufc]

Alex Mallinson Sonny Liston even admitted to taking a dive. He claimed to be receiving threats from the Muslim nation, and didn't want any part of this fight! Even Sonny Liston's biography that I am watching right now is called "Phantom Punch"

[@MurkedYall123]

everyone doubted ali and they thought he had no potential, then he knocked out the champion and he opened everyone's eyes. This is his most memorable fight

[@robertoday7526]

Quickest and best footwork ever hands down

[@stevefoxjr6025]

This fight may be fixed for which reason ever BUT Ali would beat Liston anyway he was too fast for Liston.

[@BlackMetalMutilation666]

That announcer is terrible.

[@pineapplexpression]

This was a great fight, I wish I was around to of seen it.

[@robertoday7526]

Definately at his best here in his movement,reflexes, Super sharp and lightening quick

[@likeclockwork6473]

Obviously a fake knock-out. He was hit in the head but Ali's punch clearly was not enough to floor Liston like that and certainly not enough to knock Liston out for more than 10 seconds. Even Ali knew that punch wasn't enough to knock Liston out which is why he screamed at him to get up The punch did look like it connected to the temple which could have knocked him out but he clearly didn't look knocked out soon after he hit the floor

[@johntariau9510]

so you were there, were you sam?... nah i didn't think so....

[@darcytetreault2328]

I've read many books about Ali's career and both he and Sonny Liston have said that it wasn't the power but the timing of the punch that "Knocked him out". Not necesarilly the power, Ali had many knock outs in this method, he was never a huge hitter like Frasier or Foreman.

[@likeclockwork6473]

John Tariau I don't see how that matters since I watched a video of it that gave a closer view than most of the people there would have had. Your response lacks simple thought

[@likeclockwork6473]

Sam Non If the video gave a better view we'd have a better idea of where the punch landed. I've seen people take tons of punches to the head with no knock out. He clearly isn't knocked out when he puts his arms out as he lands. At most he was dazed and a fighter of his caliber is trained to deal with that. Of course he'd say it was real so he would shame himself but it looks fake people, you are believing an act

[@tyvonable]

Sam Non the real reason why sonny fell down so easily, was because he didn't expected that punch. it is very common that boxers get KOed by a punch that they didn't expect or a counter. and ali definitely threw a counter punch, meaning, when liston threw that punch, his weight was in it. ali just used his weight against himself and connected on his temple, which results in a KO.

[@Powerule23]

The fix was in...this is actually poor acting to the point of a joke.

[@hendrixgroupie23]

Muhammed Ali Pre-Fight: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands cant hit, what your eyes cant see." Happy Birthday Champ!

[@MsComplicated111]

I just finish watching the movie "phantom punch" so I am searching the net for more infos on this sonny liston guy and I came across this video and dang... this fixed fight was so hilarious :-)

[@musicmandon1]

what an incredible find this is. most unusual, the sound quality is far better than that of the radio broadcast which I own. The radio had better announcers-Russ Hodges, Van Patrick and author Jim Bishop, but it wasn't as well preserved as this little gem. Nobody can help the fact that Steve Ellis, whom I happen not to enjoy, was on the call. boxing's best, Howard Cosell, was still doing radio, but not for this bout. he did the first Clay-Liston fight on radio from Miami with Less Kiter.

[@StonedCatmp3]

Tyson said himself, That Ali in his prime is unbeatable, that he is in-fact the greatest and that Tyson looks up to him as a hero. Tyson even gets emotional talking about Ali, just because of the respect/awe he has for Ali.

[@DRAGON7336]

la leggenda che si intreccia con le torbide realtà e verità di SONNY LISTON, senza nulla togliere a forse il piu' grande e carismatico sportivo e pugile di tutti i tempi. MUHAMMED ALI'!

[@steelbrzz]

Happy Birthday Champ!

[@heavyduty96]

I've got a great picture from this fight

[@anhquangloon]

OH HELL! I have to replay the part 3 times to see his knock-out punch clearly @@ He is so fast!

[@kal7861]

That shot was mind blowing fast.

[@cuge1000]

Just look at the punch in slow mo on a diff you tube vid. Legit, awesome, nuff said.

[@Dirkdigglerdan]

Look up: Slow motion Ali Liston on KZbin. The video shows the punch in slow motion and HD, you can clearly see the punch jolt Liston's head and jaw. Ali was so fast no one could really see the solid punch happen.

[@Manttan09]

like to see you vs him in the old day.......^^^

[@whytee666]

he did show us how great he was!

[@seanwilliams3266]

This was one of ali's quickest knockouts !

[@Poeterish]

Man that punch was quick

[@rockstar74665]

Damn, great punch if you watch this from a different angle you can see that Ali only stood over Liston and did that historical pose for a split second, so the photographer who took the photo reacted quickly.

[@AbdellatifChab2607]

magnifique Mohamed Ali.

[@vivelajonny]

if we had slowmotion cameras today with multiple angles you would see why it was such a powerful punch

[@seyfeddinsesli]

Allah rahmet eylesin Şampiyon. Nur içinde yat.

[@tomfy1979]

Thats very constructive. Good one.

[@timekeeper20ARC]

I BLINKED!!!!!!!

[@ronaldblakely2165]

R.I.P. WE LOVE YOU

[@max666ization]

He floating like a Butterfly amazing.

[@kimi43maro]

I've read the old auto-biography of Muhammad Ali over the last few days (1975 epic one xD) Ali himself said that he was surprised and that all the pressure of threats to his life from everyone ( they even had shields from explosions behind their chairs , the spectators I mean) and that Liston was worried about it too as any moment he could get shot as Ali would dance around the field and wouldn't be an easy target .

[@Kasfei7592]

Ali, I only can say, "incredible and perfect"

[@PashaZafar]

This is classic.

[@walidb123]

incredibly quick knockdown. muhammad ali was such a smart, confident fighter but of course liston was a great fighter too.

[@WeGottaSituation]

If you want to skip all of Ali's running and jumping go to 4:00

[@haochaotsiminh6193]

WeGottaSituation who would want to

[@RHINOPLASM]

+Hao Chao Tsi Minh Yes. What an amazing display of boxing. To see Liston completely outclassed is a pleasure. The dancing is the best part!

[@jimbojak6354]

When you get to 4:00, keep clicking on the timeline at that mark (after the punch & w/ full volume) to get a series of rapid replays of the fastest counter right-hand knockout in history. You can do the same for the 1st right hand to the same spot on Liston at 3:25. This one set-up the knockout... I would like to see all of you "fixed" proponents take those 2 shots...

[@satans_pet_penguin]

I don't even like boxing and even I can appreciate how good Ali was.

[@KasaresStern]

The jaw shot that Clay gives here was when Liston's jaw was loose, in that moment it doesn't matter if you are a bull or a baby, if your jaw is loose the punch shakes your head to its entire foundations, it's a hit that you can't even whitstand: It's a fact, neck strength only applies to its limits when the jaw is tightened, Clay was able to see this opening in Liston's defense, this disadvantage, and made profit of it, that's "evolution" in fighting techniques. Pure reflexes and explosive blows

[@joseflores9540]

this was posted 10 years ago holy shit

[@ruisu9565]

"I am the greatest!"

[@duanchamp1988]

so fast that 2013 camera can't catch it... ALI beast ;)

[@theydidntnameme]

@tomfy1979 they stopped it because he was on the ground for more then 10 seconds. thats why the ref was looking over to the side, the judge on the side said he was down more for then 10.

[@BANDIIDO]

UN DÍA COMO HOY 8 DE MAYO NACIÓ 1932: Sonny Liston, boxeador estadounidense. (Charles "Sonny" Liston (8 de mayo de 1932 - 30 de diciembre de 1970), fue un boxeador estadounidense, campeón mundial 1961-1964 de la categoría peso pesado. La International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) lo ha clasificado entre los 10 mejores pesos pesados de la historia.)

[@arsenalrock111]

that was ridiculously quick, speed!

[@alexasdourian1417]

Great! Goblet!

[@flagship66]

Excelente para el analisis

[@POLYKID707]

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them, a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill - Muhammad Ali

[@Cerl84]

Standard quick left -right combo by Ali. Many people were either knocked down or out with it. Ali's cat like punches were hard hitting as well.

[@TeacherFlash]

@Parkerlarka erm.... holyfield was headbuttin all the time and second fight he didnt give tyson ass kicking but got his ears bitten off... so yea u cant prepare for mike only two guys that really wont aginst tyson were douglas and lewis... but that doesnt say anything because everyone loses sometime.. ali did , frazier did, forman did everyone loses somtime.. and i think its not fair towards tyson because of two fights he loses to simple erase all the great knockouts, speed and talent he had

[@slickcross]

Heard about this fight on Mad Men lol

[@bikezonly]

Thanks for posting this. Classic Ali at his prime. His opponents would be throwing a whole bunch of punches and goes down suddenly. One question though, why was Ali being booed?

[@deniscarts]

R.i.P. Brazilian admirer

[@KalistoVan]

That makes perfect sense. It holds more credit than all the other theories, especially when it comes out of Liston's own mouth. I can't completely discount that money might've been involved (given the connections), but it looks clear to me that Liston was legitimately knocked down (even if it was a flash knockdown) and opted to quit instead of continue fighting.

[@elassassin]

The Phantom punch fight, golden age of Boxing

[@calbo555]

watch the slow motion , every bone in listons body shook , best punch in history

[@sssxzxz83]

good fight

[@yarinagarciaalvarez2626]

El mejor, el mas grande de todos los tiempos!!!!!

[@sycx1]

the camera kind of blocks that last hit but it's entirely possible for it to be hard enough to be a knock-out. also the hit liston took about 30 seconds before that was pretty hard so he was probably still woozy from that. remember these are heavyweights. they punch so fast it looks like they are just love-taps but it's like being tapped by an elephant.

[@Mikep487]

Because you have to have a sick sense of humor to be amused by it, that's why. Ali's attitude has permeated the sport and has had effects in other arenas, particularly football and some of the looney tune characters who have surfaced.

[@KRSsven]

Probably the genesis of the boxing adage that if the other guy has the advantage in sheer power, then take advantage of his weaknesses. Bigger, more powerful guys like Liston don't move particularly well if they're constantly having to track you sideways and it means they can't attack as well compared to if they can plant their feet and get big shots in.

[@watvcfpt5399]

that punch was so fast i only realised when he went down

[@HowellRaymon666]

The greatest fighter to every live

[@pedrodelgado3341]

Ese día no me dio tiempo de ver la pelea. Preparaba unos tragos en la cocina de mi casa, y cuando llegué a la sala ya Liston estaba listo. ¡Jejejeje..!

[@LG-kl3co]

See it in slow motion and then see if you still think so. Liston was most certainly hit very hard. But, I did agree with you for many years until I saw the slow motion.

[@PengPoyZneiz]

Happy Birthday Ali, 70 wonderful years!!!

[@inviziblehunter]

muhammad ali gave boxing a beauty with his dancing