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An Iconic Photo that Belies the Real Story

An Iconic Photo that Belies the Real Story

Was it a knockout punch, or a dive?

Mar 08, 2025
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An Iconic Photo that Belies the Real Story
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Muhammad Ali towering over a floored Sonny Liston at their second encounter for the heavyweight title (May/1965). Speculation remains that Liston took a dive on a ‘phantom punch’.

On the night of May 25th, 1965, photographers John Rooney of the Associated Press and Neil Leifer of Sports illustrated snapped similar pictures of Muhammad Ali towering in tri…

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