Muhammad Ali finished his legendary boxing career with a record of 56-5, including 37 knockouts. Here’s a look back at some of his most memorable bouts.
Cassius Clay vs. Liston 1964 heavyweight title match
In Miami in 1964, Clay took on then-heavyweight titleholder Sonny Liston in one of the signature boxing matches of that era. Clay’s speed bested Liston’s slower, heavy punches, and Liston pulled out after the sixth round due to injury. This prompted the now famous quote from Clay, “I am the greatest!”
The match is also notable because just days after it, Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali.
Ali vs. Liston 1965 heavyweight title rematch
Lewiston, Maine was the unlikely location for the heavyweight title rematch, but it was the scene of history-making moments in boxing.
Liston fell down during the first round, and Ali stood over him, yelling, “Get up and fight, sucker!” That image became one of the most iconic in all of sports.
The fight ended in controversy. Liston got up off the canvas after 20 seconds and resumed fighting. The fight was stopped after it was determined that Liston had been down for more than the 10-second maximum count. Ali received credit for a knockout victory. It was rumored that Liston threw the fight because he owed the Mafia, but Liston claimed years later that he had been afraid of retribution from the Nation of Islam.
What’s my name?
In Houston in 1967, Ali took on Ernie Terrell, who had a 39-4 record. Terrell incensed Ali by insisting on calling him by his birth name. The pair even scuffled during a Howard Cosell interview. Ali responded by breaking a bone under Terrell’s left eye. Throughout the match, Ali taunted Terrell by saying, “What’s my name, Uncle Tom? What’s my name?” Ali won the bout by an unaminous decision.
Fight of the Century
One of the most famous bouts in boxing history, the 1971 matchup at Madison Square Garden between heavyweight champion Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali was more than just a sporting event. As Ali fought to win back the title stripped from him for being a vocal conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, Frazier was embraced by a more conservative, pro-war crowd. Leading up to the bout, Ali employed his usual taunting tactics, which caused Frazier to train harder than usual. It paid off, as Frazier solidly won the early rounds and held his own throughout the bout, winning a unanimous decision and handing Ali his first loss. The purse of $5 million, to be split evenly between Ali and Frazier, was the highest ever at the time.
Rumble in the Jungle
The heavyweight championship match between Ali and George Foreman took place in 1974 in Zaire the, which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ali fooled his critics who thought he was too old to take on the rising star and powerful puncher Foreman. He let Foreman wear himself down before taking him out with a couple of well-timed combinations that sent Foreman to the canvas. Ali regained the heavyweight championship title.
Thrilla in Manila
In 1975, Manila in the Philippines was the site of the last Ali-Frazier matchup and proved to be one of the most memorable heavyweight title matches. Ali underestimated the fight Frazier still had left in him, but both fighters labored and faded in the oppressive tropical heat. When Frazier’s trainer wouldn’t let him fight in the 15th round, Ali claimed victory via a TKO.
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