World Heavyweight Championship Ellis, Jimmy vs. Blackwood, Joe (final) Ali, Rahman vs. Reed, Buster (debut) Lincoln, Amos vs. Davis, Abe Turnbow, Mel vs. Jones, Harvey Bruce, Mike vs. Brown, Abe II
This bout was a rematch scheduled at the direction of boxing authorities, then postponed and moved to Lewiston, Maine, because of promotion licensing problems in Boston. Before one of the smallest crowds to ever see a heavyweight championship fight, the newly self-proclaimed Muhammad Ali put the former champion on the canvas in the first round with what is now called "The Phantom Punch," then stood over Liston gesturing in triumph while the referee, Jersey Joe Walcott, attempted to send him to his corner. Liston arose and resumed fighting, but was judged knocked out after the long time he spent prone without a count. The controversy of this decision continues to this day. The headlining boxers were listed on the ticket as "Champion" for Ali, and "Challenger" for Liston underneath their printed portraits, as Ali had recently announced his change of name. YouTube link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TADbnYQJg7w On the undercard, Ali's favorite sparring partner, Ellis, fought the experienced slugger Blackwood and knocked him out in the 1st round of their match, one which would be Blackwood's last. In a night for quick knockouts, Rahman Ali put the complete rookie Reed down in 2, while Lincoln only took 1 to dispose of Davis. The other two bouts featured the up and coming Turnbow taking the victory from the more experienced Jones in 6, and the novice heavyweight Bruce winning over Brown for the 2nd time in a month.
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