On May 25, 1965, a small hockey arena in Lewiston, Maine, became the unlikely stage for one of the most debated moments in athletic history. When Muhammad Ali floored Sonny Liston minutes into the first round of their heavyweight title rematch, the former Cassius Clay did more than just retain the championship, he birthed the legend of the "phantom punch," a strike so fast and a conclusion so chaotic that it remains a subject of intense scrutiny 61 years later.

The fight served as the follow-up to their 1964 encounter, where Ali shocked the sporting world by defeating Liston in Miami Beach. By the time the rematch occurred, the political and social landscape of the United States was shifting, and Ali had publicly embraced anew name and faith, Islam. The tension surrounding the champion's identity added a heavy layer of significance to the bout, which was moved to Maine after various licensing issues and threats.

The climax came a mere 104 seconds into the first round. As Liston moved in, Ali threw a short, chopping right hand. Liston collapsed to the canvas, sprawling on his back before attempting to roll over. In the ensuing pandemonium, Ali refused  to go to a neutral corner, instead standing over his opponent and gesturing for him to get up. The referee, ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott, struggled to regain control of the ring. By the time the timekeeper's count was communicated, the fight was whistled dead, and Ali was declared the victor by knockout.

Immediate reactions from the crowd of 4,288 were filtered through a lens of disbelief. Because many spectators and members of the press did not see the impact of the blow, accusations of a "fix" began to circulate. 

Slow-motion replays from the era provided some clarity but failed to silence the skeptics. While some angles showed Ali's glove connecting with Liston's jaw, the force of the blow continued to be questioned. Regardless of the technical debate, the result solidified Ali's standing as the dominant force in the heavyweight division, and his ascent to mythical status was underway