When Muhammad Ali Knocked down Sonny Liston Visual Analysis The photograph of Muhammad Ali winning the boxing match portrays the triumph of an underdog, not only over the current champion Sonny Liston but also over his lost reputation since he dodged the Vietnam War draft. The image depicts the moment when Muhammad Ali swatted Sonny Liston to the canvas in the world heavyweight rematch, at Lewiston in Maine (Chris Rattue, When Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston: The story behind the most famous image in Sport 2020). Ali came into the fight needing to win this not only to reinstate himself back into the boxing world but also so he could be a significant part of the push to end the war in Vietnam. However, Liston was fighting only for himself…show more content… While many Liston supporters in the front row bowed their heads in shame or looked on with a present sensation of disbelief. Others in the front row looked unphased or sported sly grins. The announcer, filled with shock, stayed silent and expressionless. Not even Ali seemed to know what happened (Songalia, On this day: Muhammad Ali knocks out Sonny Liston with 'Phantom punch' 2022). Photographers quickly rushed over and quickly took photos before turning still and confused as Liston had yet to get up as the knockout timer was still ticking. After Liston got to his feet the twelve count had been up and the referee seated next to the table with the clock declared the fight over and fans proceeded to chant. Baffled and confused, not even Liston's own team knew what had happened. This seemingly unbeatable boxer has just been beaten by this “anchor punch”. After the fight, Ali’s “anchor punch” was dubbed the "phantom punch” and controversy sparked; despite Liston’s loss to Ali years prior, he was still pitted to win the fight. The “Phantom Punch” was viewed as fake and the narrative that Liston took the fall to fix the match swept over and engulfed the
