Clay defeats Liston to become world heavyweight boxing champion 50 years ago tonight (Feb 25 1964)


Video: 'Sonny Liston vs Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) Boxing Match'

(Tuesday, February 25, 1964, evening) — Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) became the world heavyweight boxing champion today as he defeated Sonny Liston at Convention Hall Miami Beach, Florida. The victory was scored as a technical knockout when an injured Liston failed to answer the bell for the seventh round.