Muhammad Ali Knocks Out Sonny Liston In First Round – May 25, 1965 (This Day In Boxing History)

One of the most iconic photos were produced on this day.

Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston in the first round of their world heavyweight title rematch. But it also ended up being one of the most controversial.

Midway through the first round, Liston threw a left jab and Ali countered with a fast right hand that immediately sent his opponent down.

Ali stood over Liston and yelled, “Get up and fight, sucker!” Referee Joe Walcott, who was a former world heavyweight champion himself, struggled getting Ali neutral in his corner.

Walcott never picked up the count.

Liston was eventually able to get up and Walcott let the fighters go, but Nat Fleischer shouted from the corner saying that Liston had been down for more than ten seconds.

Walcott rushed to stop the fight and awarded Ali the win.