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After 15 months of anticipation, controversy, and everything in between, Muhammad Ali would finally meet Sonny Liston in the ring once again. Before the fight could begin, the Star Spangled Banner was performed by famed Canadian-American actor and singer, Robert Goulet, who forgot the words to the country's national anthem. This slip-up, amazingly, would not be the strangest thing to happen that night. 

Sonny Liston, former heavyweight champion and betting favorite, stoically walked to the ring in the middle of the converted youth hockey arena. He was met with roars of cheers from the crowd of 2,400 fight fans. Muhammad Ali, on the other hand, was booed as he danced his way down the aisle to the square canvas. As the fighters made their last preparations in their respective corners, the ring announcer took a moment to point out familiar faces in the crowd, including Canadian Heavyweight Champion George Chuvalo, former heavyweight champions Floyd Patterson, Rocky Marciano, James J. Braddock, and Joe Louis. Another former heavyweight champion, Jersey Joe Walcott, stood in the center of the ring when he was introduced as the fight's non-voting referee.

Finally, the bell rang and the first round began. The two boxers collided in the middle of the ring in a clumsy exchange before Ali broke free and began dancing around the perimeter of the ring, all the while keeping his hands low. Liston leaned in every few moments to throw a jab or a hook, but few made an impact as Ali bobbed, weaved, and dodged each one. Suddenly, as Liston encroached on Ali against the ropes, the champion swung his right fist and connected with the challenger's head (a maneuver he termed the "anchor punch"), prompting Liston to fall and sprawl out across the canvas. Ali immediately jumped around Liston, motioning for him to get up and fight. Liston attempted to get up once before stumbling over on his back once more before he finally rose to his feet. They resumed fighting for a few seconds before Jersey Joe Walcott pushed himself between them and then motioned the fight was over. 

As quickly as it began, it ended. The fight was declared a knockout. The crowd erupted in disapproval.

Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston II Ticket Stub