AP Was There: Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston heavyweight rematch (The Associated Press)

EDITOR’S NOTE: On May 25, 1965, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston in the first round of a heavyweight bout that produced one of the strangest finishes in boxing history as well as one of sports’ most iconic moments – photos of Ali hovering over Liston on the canvas, shouting at his opponent to get up. After the fight, the 23-year-old Ali called the punch that dropped Liston his secret: ”It was a phantom punch.” ”It was lightning and thunder – fast as lightning and booming as thunder from the heavens,” Ali said. ”No, I didn’t hear the count,” said Liston, who lost on a 12 count according to the timekeeper.