Sonny Liston vs. Muhammad Ali

The Sonny Liston vs. Muhammad Ali fight on February 25, 1964, was a historic boxing match where Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, faced reigning champion Liston. Ali, known for his speed and confidence, won decisively by technical knockout when Liston refused to come out for the seventh round. The fight is famous for Ali's bold pre-fight trash talk, his unorthodox style, and the mysterious "phantom punch" that knocked Liston down. This victory made Ali the new heavyweight champion and marked a turning point in boxing history, highlighting both his talent and his emerging role as a prominent cultural figure.