ALI, MUHAMMAD-SONNY LISTON II SOUVENIR POSTCARD (STEPIN FETCHIT-ANCHOR PUNCH)

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 he called the "anchor punch" that ended it. That controversy lives on to this day. Offered here is a souvenir postcard issued after the fight featuring Muhammad Ali and Stepin Fetchit, the man Ali credited with teaching him the anchor punch.
This is an original, unused postcard. Ali and Stepin Fetchit are pictured on both sides and on one side Ali credits Stepin Fetchit with teaching him the punch. No creases or tears. Minor edge and corner wear. Clean front and back. 4 1/4" x 5 1/2."