Phantom Punch

 

The "Phantom Punch" refers to the controversial, lightning-fast right hand Muhammad Ali landed on Sonny Liston in their 1965 heavyweight championship rematch, knocking Liston out in the first round, a blow many spectators didn't see, sparking accusations of a fixed fight due to Liston's mob ties, though Ali called it his "anchor punch" and some experts believed it was a legitimate, well-timed shot. The term also refers to a 2008 biopic about Sonny Liston, IMDb.

The Punch: Ali countered Liston's jab with a quick right hand that floored Liston.

The Controversy: The punch was so fast that many in the crowd, and later many viewers, claimed they never saw it, leading to suspicions that Liston threw the fight (took a dive).

Ali's View: Ali insisted it was a real punch, describing it as a surprising new counter right.

Liston's Role: Liston, who had known ties to the Mafia, defended the punch and fought on.

The Aftermath

Iconic Photo: The moment was immortalized by Neil Leifer's famous photograph of Ali standing over the downed Liston, famously yelling, "Get up and fight!"

Debate Continues: Even decades later, the punch's legitimacy remains a subject of debate among boxing fans and historians.

Other Meanings

Phantom Punch (Film): A 2008 biographical film about Sonny Liston, starring Ving Rhames, directed by Robert Townsend.