On this day in 1964, a brash young fighter named Cassius Clay shocked the world when he defeated Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world. At just 22 years old, Clay entered the ring at Convention Hall in Miami Beach as a major underdog, with bookmakers favoring the powerful Liston at 8-to-1 odds. However, what transpired that night would go down as one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
From the opening bell, Clay’s strategy was clear: speed, movement, and confidence. While Liston was known for his brute strength and devastating punches, Clay danced around the ring, using his nimble footwork and lightning-fast jabs to keep the champion at bay. Liston, growing frustrated, struggled to land clean shots.
Cassius Clay (L) and Sonny Liston face off in a WBA/WBC World Heavyweight fight in this Miami Herald photo from HistoryMiami taken in Miami Beach, Florida February 25, 1964. The 50th anniversary of the bout will take place on February 25, 2014 and the Miami History Museum is putting together an exhibition of artifacts, photos, memorabilia from the fight for a limited engagement exhibition. REUTERS/Miami Herald/HistoryMiami/Handout (UNITED STATES
By the sixth round, the momentum had completely shifted. Clay’s punches had begun to take their toll on Liston, who was showing signs of exhaustion and frustration. At the start of the seventh round, Liston failed to answer the bell on account of a shoulder injury, and Clay was declared the winner by “technical knockout.”
As he celebrated his victory, Clay famously shouted: “I shook up the world! I’m the greatest! I’m the greatest!”
epa05345161 A handout picture provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau (LVNB) on 04 June 2016 shows US boxer Muhammad Ali (C) shouting during the weigh-in for his fight against Joe Bugner at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 14 February 1973. Born Cassius Clay, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, dubbed as ‘The Greatest,’ died on 03 June 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, at the age of 74, a family spokesman said. EPA/LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU
Shortly after the fight, Clay made another groundbreaking announcement: that he had converted to Islam and would now be known as Muhammad Ali. This decision, along with his affiliation with the Nation of Islam, sparked controversy but also solidified his reputation as a man willing to stand by his convictions.
Ali’s victory over Liston was more than just a win in the ring. It marked the start of a career that would redefine boxing, activism, and global sports culture. Over the next two decades, he would become a three-time world champion, an outspoken advocate for civil rights, and one of the most beloved athletes of all time.
