The Story
The fight lasted one minute and 42 seconds but the story goes on forever. Some remember it as a battle between a boxer and a brawler. Some remember a young man in his prime against a man in the twilight of his career. But we all know it as Ali vs. Liston II.
Muhammad Ali threw only three powerful punches during the short fight. The punch that sent Liston to the canvas was described by Ali as an “anchor punch.” No one in attendance actually saw the “anchor punch” land causing some to refer to it as the “phantom punch.”
Whatever that punch was, it ignited one of the most controversial endings in boxing history. Liston spent a full 17 seconds on the floor before a ringside sportswriter informed referee Jersey Joe Walcott (himself, a former heavyweight champion) that the timekeeper had counted Liston out.
The fight was over but the story goes on.
