Spring Premium Live and Catalog Auction Ending May 20(1-70) and June 3
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/4/2017
Offered here is a signed photograph of Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston during their second fight on May 25, 1965. Held in the small town of Lewiston, Maine, Ali-Liston II failed to live up to the hype of the first battle. Ali defeated Liston in just under two minutes into the first round of the heavyweight title fight. Fighting for the first time under the name Muhammad Ali, the boxer formerly known as Cassius Clay sent Liston to the mat with a right jab thrown so fast Ali himself did not know that he hit Liston. After Liston was knocked down, Ali spent a few extra seconds posing above and taunting the groggy Liston. What followed was remarkable: the timekeeper had counted Liston out, but the referee restarted the fight, leading Ali and Liston to exchange a few more jabs and hooks before the fight was officially declared over. Ali exited the fight with a perfect 21-0 record, while Liston picked up his third loss against 35 victories.
This 20 x 24 inch photograph shows Ali in the moment after he knocked Liston down, standing almost on top of Liston. The crowd behind the fighters is stunned, with a gaggle of photographers vying to get the best shot of the fallen champion. Ali signed this photograph in silver marker. This item comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (5A01072).