Rick Marino #4

 

 

 Muhammad Ali

 





Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, towers over a conquered Sonny Liston. The 1964 fight would determine the new heavyweight world champion, held at the time by Liston. In the eyes of the boxing community, Ali was a negligible underdog in the looming shadow of mighty Liston. No one suspected any trouble for the Goliath, but they were rudely awakened. The loud mouthed youngster from Louisville came in with tenacity, cockiness, and a determined attitude that brought thunderous bangs and volcanic eruptions to a sleepy community. Ali acted as an alpha male gorilla beating his chest with forceful blows. The dazed and confused Liston was defeated on a "technical knockout" by Ali's powerful bee-like stings. Shock waves radiated throughout the country of how this audacious, braggadocios, bucking bull of a boxer confidently dismantled the former champion.

 

In my mind, this picture embodies the epidemy of conviction and boldness and swagger. As Ali bellows in triumph over a feeble Liston, his power and aura increases to that of a full-speed freight train. Ali rises to ten feet, with the strength to stop a zooming bullet. His unparalleled personality and dominant prowess astounded the world.