Photos: On this day – February 25, 1964 – Cassius Clay defeats Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing title

Posted Feb 25, 2013

On this day – February 25, 1964 – Cassius Clay defeats Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing title. Sports Illustrated magazine named the February 25, 1964 Clay – Liston fight (Clay had not yet changed his name to Ali) as the fourth greatest sports moment of the Twentieth Century.

By fight time, Clay was a seven to one betting underdog. Of the 46 sportswriters at ringside, 43 had picked Sonny Liston to win by knockout.

Clay was only 22 when he won the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston. He subsequently changed his name to Muhammad Ali after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964, converting to Sunni Islam in 1975.

In 1967, three years after Ali had won the heavyweight championship, he was publicly vilified for his refusal to be conscripted into the U.S. military, based on his religious beliefs and opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali was eventually arrested and found guilty on draft evasion charges; he was stripped of his boxing title, and his boxing license was suspended. He was not imprisoned, but did not fight again for nearly four years while his appeal worked its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where it was eventually successful.

Ali would go on to become the first and only three-time lineal World Heavyweight Champion.

Considered a cultural icon, Ali has both been idolized and vilified.

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Challenger Cassius Clay throws a straight left to the face of Charles "Sonny" Liston in third round of their heavyweight championship fight at Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Fla., on Feb. 25, 1964. The 22-year-old Clay, of Louisville, Ky., defeated Liston in a technical knockout to become the world heavyweight champion. (AP Photo)
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The physical statistics of heavyweight boxers Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay are seen in 1964. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Cassius Clay is shown in rare form as he signed to meet heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston. The signing took place at the Denver Hilton Hotel, November 6, 1963. The press conference was a lively affair with Clay doing most or all of the talking. (AP Photo/stf)
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Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay is seen in 1964 with his wife Sonji Clay. (AP Photo)
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Turning to new fields, Britain’s Beatles take on heavyweight challenger Cassius Clay at his training camp in Miami Beach, Florida, Feb. 18, 1964. From left: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Clay. (AP Photo)
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The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, take a fake blow from Cassius Clay while visiting the heavyweight contender at his training camp in Miami Beach, Fla. on February 18, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Boxer Cassius Clay lifts Ringo Starr, one of the Beatles into the air while the singers visited Clay's camp in Miami Beach, Fla. , February 18, 1964. Others are, from left: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and John Lennon. (AP Photo)
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The Beatles, from right to left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr pretent to be knocked out by a fake blow from Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), lying on the floor of the ring, while visiting the heavyweight contender at his training camp in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, Feb. 18,1964. (AP Photo)
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Cassius Clay, young heavyweight fighter, thrusts his fist out, Feb. 19, 1964, as he tells a crowd at Surfside, Fla., how he'll hit champion Sonny Liston in their upcoming bout at Miami Beach. Clay and his followers paid an unexpected visit to Liston's Surfside camp. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
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Heavyweight challenger Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) lets out a howl as he steps to the box office Feb. 22, 1964 in Miami Beach, Fla. Ali and Sonny Liston will fight Tuesday night. (AP Photo)
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Boxer Eddie Machen, left, aims a fist toward the open mouth of Cassius Clay, Feb. 22, 1964 in Miami Beach as the pair engaged in a friendly verbal exchange. Their paths crossed at the Miami Beach Convention Hall where Clay and heavyweight champion Sonny Liston meet on Tuesday night. Machen lost a 12-round decision to Liston in 1960 and is the last boxer to go the full route with him. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
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Heavyweight challenger Cassius Clay, who has a 10 o?clock date with champion Sonny Liston, relaxes at his home reading a magazine and with his feet on the table in Miami Beach, Feb. 23, 1964. Clay plans no further gymnasium workouts before going into the ring with Liston. (AP Photo)
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Squelching a rumor that he had hurt a hand during training challenger (Muhammad Ali) Cassius Clay uses bare knuckles on the light punching bag on Saturday, Feb. 24, 1964 in Miami Beach, Fla., during his final workout for Tuesday night's title fight with champion Sonny Liston. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) catches a medicine ball in the midsection as he trains for his Feb. 25 heavyweight championship bout with champion Sonny Liston. Clay?s trainers throw the ball at the challenger?s stomach, toughening up his midsection on Jan. 9, 1964 in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) punches the heavy bag in one of his daily workouts at Miami Beach for the Feb. 25 championship bout with heavyweight Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Fla., on Jan. 10, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), age 22, celebrates with a cake decorated with a boxing ring and two fighters in Miami Beach, Fla., January 17, 1964. Sonny Liston in a horizontal position and Ali as the winner. A group of friends gathered to help him celebrate including his father and mother. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali ?Cassius Clay? showed up at the airport, presumedly eager to meet Heavyweight Champ Sonny Liston upon his arrival from Las Vegas on Jan. 26, 1964 in Miami, Florida. Airport officials rushed Sonny to a conference room for the press but Ali (center) was barred from the meeting by airport security officers. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali ?Cassius Clay? shown Feb. 1, 1964 in Miami Beach, Florida is not always indulging in corny comedy in front of cameras, clowning about his upcoming fight with Sonny Liston. Much of his time is spent in serious thought, reading or indulging in his pet hobby-photography. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), also known as ?The Lip?, keeps is mouth open while sparring with Dave Bailey of Philadelphia during his workout in Miami Beach, Fla. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1964. Clay will fight heavyweight champ Sonny Liston on February 25. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), heavyweight challenger in next week?s title fight, rolls away from a close blow by a sparring partner during workout on Feb. 20, 1964 in Miami Beach. (AP Photo)
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Ed Sullivan, left talks to David McDonald, third from left, at ringside of Sonny Liston - Cassius Clay fight in Miami, Fla., Feb. 15, 1964. Man at center is not identified. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali ?Cassius Clay? left, shouts as he stands on the scale for his weigh-in for his title fight with Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston, right. Clay was fined $2,500 for his conduct at the weigh-in at the Miami Beach Convention Hall in Florida on Feb 25, 1964. Liston weighed 218 pounds and Clay 210 ˝ pounds. Miami Beach Boxing Commissioner Morris Klein adjusts the scales while Vice Chairman of the Commission, Carl Gardner records the weights. Joseph Polino, one of Liston?s seconds, is second from right. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Cassius Clay is restrained as Dr. Alexander Robbins, chief physician for the Liston-Clay fight, blocks him as Clay attempted to rush heavyweight champion Sonny Liston at their official weigh-in, Feb. 25, 1964 in Miami Beach. Clay was fined $2,500 for this and other actions at the weigh-in for tonight?s title fight. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Cassius Clay has his waist encircled by arms of man behind him as Dr. Alexander Robbins, chief physician for the Liston-Clay fight, blocks him as Clay attempted to rush heavyweight champion Sonny Liston at their official weigh-in, Feb. 25, 1964 in Miami Beach. Clay was fined $2,500 for this and other actions at the weigh-in for tonight?s title fight. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali ?Cassius Clay? waves his cane as he greeted upon his arrival at the Miami Beach Convention Hall for the official weigh-in on Feb. 25, 1964 in Miami Beach, Florida. Ali arrived before heavyweight champion Sonny Liston who he meets in a 15-round title fight in the Convention Hall tonight. (AP Photo)
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This is the ring at Miami Beach Convention Hall where heavyweight champ Sonny Liston and challenger Cassius Clay will meet in a title fight, Feb. 25, 1964. Platform at left holds a television camera directly over one corner of the ring. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Cassius Clay is surrounded by well wishers and handlers as he looks over the crowd during preliminary bout featuring his younger brother in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964. Clay stood in the back of Convention Hall and watched Rudolph Valentino Clay of Louisville, outpoint Chip Johnson in a four-rounder. Cassius met Sonny Liston for the title about an hour later. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Cassius Clay, right, gets out of the way of a long left jab thrown by heavyweight champion Sonny Liston during title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., on Feb. 25, 1964. Clay, 22-year-old from Louisville, won the title crown with a TKO in the 7th round. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), the new Heavyweight Champion, uses a variety of bobbing and weaving to stay clear of the left arm of Sonny Liston in their title fight in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 26, 1964. An injury to his left arm prevented Liston from answering the bell for the seventh round, giving Ali the title on what goes in the record books as a seventh round technical knockout. A gash under Liston?s left eye required six stitches to close. (AP Photo)
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Sonny Liston, right, ducks low and weaves to escape a punch from Cassius Clay's cocked right fist during the 5th round of the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Florida, February 25, 1964. Clay won on a seventh round technical knockout. (AP Photo/stf)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay as he was known at the time, whips a right to the head of ducking champ Sonny Liston during the first round of the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay as he was known at the time, pokes a fast left jab to the face of Sonny Liston during their championship heavyweight fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb 25, 1964. Clay used the in and out tactics to gain a TKO in the seventh round after Liston strained a shoulder and suffered a bad gash under the left eye. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, right, as he was known at the time, is shown in action against Sonny Liston during the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964.The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, left, as he was known at the time, is shown in action against Sonny Liston during the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, right, as he was known at the time, is shown in action against Sonny Liston during the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964.The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (AP Photo)
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Sonny Liston bends low and lands punch as Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) dances out of reach during heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Ali dethroned the champion with a 7th round technical knockout. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), right, lands both gloves on the left shoulder of Sonny Liston in an early of their scheduled 15-round heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 25, 1964. The fight was stopped after six rounds after Liston suffered a bad gash under the eye and complained a strained shoulder. (AP Photo)
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Sonny Liston, right, lowers his head and works in close during 6th round of heavyweight championship fight with Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 25, 1964. Liston suffered a cut left eye and a strained left shoulder before the fight was stopped at the end of the round. (AP Photo)
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Sonny Liston, right, lowers his head and works in close during 6th round of heavyweight championship fight with Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Liston suffered a cut left eye and a strained left shoulder before the fight was stopped at the end of the round. (AP Photo)
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Champion Sonny Liston ducks under the outstretched gloves of challenger Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) to land a blow to the ribs in 2nd round of heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Ali, 7-1 underdog, stopped Liston after six rounds. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), right, appears to be boxing the ears of Sonny Liston during championship fight in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 25, 1964. Ali won the heavyweight crown when Liston, suffering a strained shoulder and a severe eye cut, failed to answer the bell for the 7th round. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), right, pokes a long left into the left eye of Sonny Liston during their heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Liston, suffering a gash on the eye and a sprained shoulder, failed to answer the bell for the 7th round. Ali was awarded the crown on a technical knockout. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), right, lands a left to the head of champion Sonny Liston in first round of heavyweight fight in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Referee is Barney Felix. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), right, pokes a long left into the left eye of Sonny Liston during their heavyweight championship fight in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 25, 1964. Liston, suffering a gash on the eye and a sprained shoulder, failed to answer the bell for the 7th round. Ali was awarded the crown on a technical knockout. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), the new heavyweight champion, uses a variety of bobbing and weaving to stay clear of the left arm of Sonny Liston in their title fight in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 26, 1964. An injury to his left arm prevented Liston from answering the bell for the seventh round, giving Ali the title on what goes in the record books as a seventh round technical knockout. A gash under Liston?s left eye required six stitches to close it. (AP Photo)
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Handlers of Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) swarm over him in the ring after referee Barney Felix, top center, awarded Clay a TKO victory at the start of the 7th round of fight with Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Fla. on Feb. 26, 1964. Liston suffered a shoulder injury in addition to a deep gash under the left eye. (AP Photo)
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Handlers of Cassius Clay swarm over him in the ring after referee Barney Felix, top center, awarded Clay a TKO victory at the start of the 7th round in the fight with Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Florida, February 25, 1964. Liston suffered a shoulder injury in addition to a deep gash under the left eye. (AP Photo)
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Cassius Clay's handlers hold him back as he reacts after he is announced the new heavyweight champion of the world on a seventh round technical knockout against Sonny Liston at Convention Hall in Miami Beach, Fla., on Feb. 25, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Cassius Clay makes like a loudmouth after being declared heavyweight champion of the world at Miami Beach, Florida, February 25, 1964. Clay beat champion Sonny Liston after six rounds in one of the greatest upsets in fight history. (AP Photo/stf)
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Muhammad Ali reacts to the crowd during his fight against Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay at the time, strikes a familiar pose as he shouts "I am the greatest," as he leaves the ring, arms raised, following his defeat of former heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Fla., February 25, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Sonny Liston, left, shown during the heavyweight title fight against Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, as he was known at the time, in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964.The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, as he was known at the time, is shown during the heavyweight title fightagainst Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964.The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, center, as he was known at the time, is shown in action against Sonny Liston during the heavyweight title fight in Miami Beach, Fla., Feb. 25, 1964. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. (AP Photo)
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Never for a loss of words, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) answers questions during news conference after his technical knockout win over world heavyweight champ Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 25, 1964. At Ali?s left is a handler, Drew Brown. (AP Photo)
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Sugar Ray Robinson, left, and Cassius Clay, right, gesture like champs on the way to the dressing room after Clay's technical knockout victory in the seventh round over heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, Florida, February 25, 1964. In the center, an emotional Clay handler, Drew "Bundini" Brown, escorts the new champ. (AP Photo)
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An unmarked and relaxed Muhammad Ali ?Cassius Clay? poses for photographers at his news conference in Miami Beach, Florida on Feb. 26, 1964. He was a roaring and emotional athlete at his weighing prior to lifting the heavyweight boxing title from Sonny Liston with a seventh round technical knockout. (AP Photo)
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World heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay signs autographs outside the Trans-Lux Theater on Broadway at 49th Street in New York, March 1, 1964 after he had watched a screening of the films showing his title victory over Sonny Liston in Miami Beach on Feb. 25. Behind Clay wearing hat and glasses is Black Muslim leader Malcolm X. (AP Photo/Jack Kanthal)
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World heavyweight boxing champion, Cassius Clay, signs autographs outside the Trans-Lux Theater on Broadway at 49th Street, New York City, March 1, 1964, after he had watched a screening of the films showing his title victory over Sonny Liston in Miami Beach, February 25. On Clay's left, with hat and glasses looking at the camera, is Malcolm X, a leader in the Black Muslim movement. (AP Photo)
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Muhammad Ali (Formerly Cassius Clay) in action against Sonny Liston. Ali was the winner in Miami Beach, Florida on February 25, 1964. (AP Photo)
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Challenger Sonny Liston ducks under a blow by heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali ( Cassius Clay) in the opening seconds of the first round on May 25, 1965 in Lewiston, Maine. Moments later, Liston was knocked out. (AP Photo)
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Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) , arms upraised, begins his victory dance around challenger Sonny Liston on May 25, 1965 after he cut short their scheduled 15-round title bout by knocking him out in one minute of the first round. Referee Joe Walcott waves his arm ending the bout. (AP Photo)
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Referee Jersey Joe Walcott pushed heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali away, top left, and looked to time keeper for count as challenger Sonny Liston struggled to get up after first round knockdown in Lewiston, Me. On May 26, 1965 title fight. Ali was the winner by a KO in the first round. (AP Photo)
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Sonny Liston crumbles toward the mat after a right to the head from Muhammad Ali who then started a swing with the left but did not land it as Liston dropped below range. Knockout came in first round of their fight at Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965. Photos from the official fight film produced by E.J. Spiro of merit productions. (AP Photo/Merit Productions)
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Sonny Liston towers over the scene after one round KO loss to heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali ( Cassius Clay) on May 26, 1965 in Lewiston whose handlers embrace him after the bout. (AP Photo)