“[I Don’t Care] If He Took a Dive, Y’all Actually Gotta Be Quite”: 58 Years After Creating Most Viral Photo in Boxing History, Muhammad Ali’s Knockout of Sonny Liston Makes Fans Skeptical to This Day

In a world dominated by instant replays and 4k resolution, imagine an iconic moment in sports history, one that birthed skepticism and debate that has lasted over half a century. This moment, immortalized in a single photograph, continues to stir intrigue and controversy to this very day. It’s an image that fans of the sport have seen countless times: the indomitable Muhammad Ali, standing triumphant over the fallen Sonny Liston. But behind this captivating tableau lies a controversy as enduring as the photograph itself – the knockout that some believe never truly happened.

Known as the “Phantom Punch”, this supposedly lethal strike from Ali to Liston during their 1965 rematch is steeped in uncertainty. Despite Ali’s undisputed prowess and Liston’s undeniable skill, a cloud of doubt surrounds the legitimacy of this knockout. Was it a real, well-placed punch from the greatest boxer of all time, or was it a fall from grace, carefully orchestrated for reasons beyond the comprehension of the sporting world? It’s a question that still provokes heated debate among boxing fans.

Diverse opinions on DAZN’s commemorative post

In commemorating this controversial moment, sports streaming giant DAZN recently posted the iconic photograph on its platform, sparking a range of reactions from fans around the world.

Rohan, evidently captivated by the sheer drama captured in the photo, urged others to see beyond the controversy. “Idc if he took a dive, y’all actually gotta be quiet, a fire pic, is a fire pic,” he said, emphasizing the significance of the image itself.

However, some fans took a more skeptical stance. Manu Ion, for example, made a blunt assertion, “Liston took a dive. People who know what happened actually agree with me.” He echoed the sentiments of a portion of the boxing community that believes Liston fell intentionally during the infamous match.

On the other hand, some fans simply used this opportunity to express their admiration for Muhammad Ali. A comment from Ace simply read, “The Greatest Of All Time,” highlighting Ali’s enduring legacy in the sport.

Similarly, izzet iskender ince gave his unequivocal opinion by stating Ali as the “BEST EVER.”

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A different perspective came from Lover.boy who said, “Great photo but even boxing back then was all about just money. Ali was born in the wrong era where people would just get paid to drop. He was a real fighter.” Here, the fan brought to light questions around the integrity of the sport during Ali’s era.

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These varied reactions offer a snapshot into the enduring debate and the wide spectrum of opinions around this moment in boxing history.