ALI, MUHAMMAD-SONNY LISTON II ORIGINAL PRESS KIT (1965)

HISTORY: On May 25, 1965 World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali defended his title for the first time against the man he had won it from a little over a year earlier, Sonny Liston, in one of the great upsets in boxing history. This fight was originally slated for Boston, but delayed due to an injury and moved to the unlikely setting of Lewiston, Maine. The fight ended in the first round. Ali landed what many observers coined a phantom punch to put Liston away while a confused referee Jersey Joe Walcoot lost track of the count. Many people insisted the fight was thrown by Liston, long known to have mob ties, but Ali defended the punch that ended it. That controversy lives on to this day. Offered here is an original press kit distributed to the media for this fight.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original press kit for the originally scheduled event on May 25, 1965 in Boston. It was ultimately moved to Lewiston, Maine. This is a fold out style program with two inside pockets filled with information on both fighters and the venue. The press kit has edge, corner and surface wear. Not creased or torn. Minor soiling. 9" x 12."