2022 Holiday Auction of Autographs, Memorabilia & Trading Cards - Auction Closes Thurs, Dec 8th

Lot #659:

1965 Muhammad Ali VS. Sonny Liston Full Ticket :: First Fight as Ali! (PSA/DNA Encapsulated)

Proclaiming he would “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” the 22-year-old Cassius Clay dethroned the feared and formidable Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston after the sixth round by TKO on February 24th, 1964. With the TKO, a rematch was almost guaranteed. The hype surrounding the rematch reached cacophonous heights, and the two heavyweights met again on May 25th, 1965 at the ST. Dominic’s Arena in Lewiston, Maine. In the interim between the two fights, Clay had converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Many expected the boxers to slug it out, but Clay knocked out Liston in the first round, with the whole fight lasting two minutes.

Presented here is a 2 x 5-inch blue variation full ticket from the May 25th, 1965 rematch between Liston and Clay. Ticket comes authenticated, encapsulated, and graded NM 7 by PSA/DNA.