Muhammad Ali Was ‘Scared to Death’ Before This Fight

It was February 25, 1964. In one of the biggest upsets in boxing at the time then Cassius Clay and later Muhammad Ali beat the heavyweight giant and fearsome Sonny Liston in their title fight. Attendants in Miami Beach, Flo Rida watched in awe as the 22-year-old underdog dominated the mature and respected Liston as the two graced the ring. As soon as the bell rang, Liston occupied the center and hungrily chased Ali. Whereas, Ali dropped his hands low and moved around Liston making the latter swing and miss.

To borrow an already used term, Ali determined “the geography of the fight.” Light on his feet, shifting, and shuffling, with the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed energy of a 22-year-old, Ali dodged and swiped. Although he made it seem like work of just another day, Ali was scared to death deep inside.

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37 years later in O, The Oprah Magazine (2001), Ali revealed how he was so scared and how he had talked so much that he had no alternative but to win. Oprah had asked, “Go ahead and brag! I remember that Sonny Liston fight, and what we, as Negroes, were all thinking. Black and white folks were betting against you because nobody had ever seen you do your thing in a national forum. Were you scared?”

Muhammad Ali spoke of being scared to death when he fought Sonny Liston for the first time

At the time of the first fight, Ali was 22 and Liston was 33. The bout was scheduled for 15 rounds but Clay put a halt to Liston in just 6. Liston entered the contest with a professional record of 1 loss and 35 wins. Although Clay was the taller person Liston had a longer reach. The following is what Ali said to Oprah’s above question:

“I was scared to death. Before that fight, I did so much predicting and talked so much that I had to win.”

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Well, Ali won. The two met again in the next year. And this time around Ali knocked out Liston in the first round. After Liston Ali went up against Patterson and other great likes. He remained undefeated till he fought Joe Frazier in 1971 inside MSG.