The most controversial knockout in boxing history — did he even hit him?
Because of the unexpected ending of the first bout, the World Boxing Council ordered a rematch, this time with Liston as challenger. The World Boxing Association disagreed, as immediate rematches were against its rules, and stripped Ali of his title. Originally scheduled for the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts in November 1964, the fight was postponed six months when Ali needed emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia.
Direction
Cameraman caught the chaos, not the punch.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The fight happened in Lewiston, Maine — population 41,000 — because no other state would license it after the Boston postponement and Ali's association with Malcolm X scared off venues.
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