Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston - 1964 Boxing

Thank god this was recorded so we can re-watch history with a click

I wasn’t even born when this fight was shown live and now I’m 50. My kids watched this and I’m sure so will their kids. Ali will continue inspiring us. Thankyou for uploading.

Interviewer asks "How come you did it in 7 rounds when you said 8?" Ali: "The man stopped it just to keep me from looking so great"

Ali’s head movement, and footwork was absolutely incredible. Never ever will we see someone like him again. He was so so far ahead of his time.

Amazing that Ali had that much confidence at age 22.

I was 6 years old when I saw this in 1964 at my grandparents house. Things were very primitive then, television had been broadcasting in N.Z., barely 4 years, my parents didnt own a set then. And watching this fight, delayed coverage a week after this even, was just fantastic. I waited patiently for it to come on, an afternoon of sport, cricket, rugby, and my grandfather telling me to be patient. Finally, on the small black and white screen, I saw it! I was just so excited, and captivated by this fight. I'd never seen anything like it before, Sonny Liston, so physically imposing, and Cassius Clay, as he was known then, dancing around the ring after fight, saying, "I am the greatest, I am King of the World". That, had a big effect on me, a momentous occasion! Years later in June 1978, I was fortunate to briefly meet Muhammad Ali at his training camp, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. That will always stay in my mind!

Sonny Liston is truly a tragic figure. He went through hell, paid his due, overcame obstacles that 99.9% of people couldn't imagine overcoming and became champ. All he got for it was that he was judged. Even Muhammad Ali later on said he'd admired and feared Liston.

Ali was hard to hit AND he could take a punch. You'd have to throw 300 punches to hit him 10 times but then he hits you twice for every punch you throw. The numbers are bad news for you!

Imagine Ali on Twitter at the age of 25......

My dad and I listened to this fight. He knew something about the fight game and knew Rocky Marciano well enough to promise me an introduction. He gave me everyone's background.That was it. I was hooked on boxing. I was never really good at organized sports but I was good with my hands, had good reflexes, and did well in the ring. I stayed in shaped through the 1970's. At the end of the fight dad said it stunk. No matter what shape you're in, it's the championship you keep fighting, quitting was unheard of. Dad said Liston was tied with the mob. He came up the hard way. Died sad. Buried near the airport. This is the first time I've seen that fight. I left out so much back story. I was pulling for Liston then as well as now. Thanks for posting. It brought back many good memories. I miss my dad.

I grew up listening to my father's tales about Ernie Shavers, Ken Norton, Sonnie Liston, George Foreman, Ali, Frazier, Patterson... Greats!! He's now passed away 🙏🏾 but seeing these fights, now on YouTube, makes me feel closer to him, once again! 💪🏾👍🏾👌🏾

He’s just the best of all time. A beautiful fighting man, so much technique, finesse, illusiveness.. body movement and defence. There are elements of martial arts here such as karate. I just can’t get over how good he was. Anyone who doesn’t rate him highly is wrong on this one. There’s no question this fighter is something very very special

I remember this being a radio fight I was 8 years old now 63

Before the fight, of all the fighters asked about the outcome, only Marciano was on point. "Don't fool yourself, this kid can fight, we just don't know if he's rugged enough". Later on they found him to be the best taker of all the heavyweights.

"The doctor said he threw his left arm outta the socket" "Yeah, swingin at nuthin, who wouldn't?" Hahahaha! Classic! 41:01

This video needs preservation status on YouTube.

Jesus Christ Ali was fast. RIP to both these legends

Not gonna lie, after rewatching this beauty I kinda start to understand why people are so disappointed with today’s heavyweight era. This was a hell of a match

Although Sonny Liston is now viewed more as “The Guy Who Lost The Heavyweight Championship To Ali”, he was one hell of a champion. The guy was feared for a reason. Even Ali admitted he had the upmost respect for Liston. Ali taunted him because he knew psychological warfare was just as important to beating Liston as physical skill. Ali wanted Liston to think Ali was full of it so he could surprise Liston with his true talent. And it worked perfectly. The only people who truly were able to get past the psychological games Ali played were Frazier, Norton, and Holmes.

No Heavyweight ever possessed the head movement Ali had. No Heavyweight ever possessed the hand and foot speed Ali possessed. Simply the Greatest Ever!