Phanton Punch

[Champoreeno]

he did hit him... it was a quick one but he did... this like hokins body shot to de la hoya... it look like it was nothing but he said he got him at the right spot... maybe it was the same with linston...

I wouldn't argue that that was a real punch and it certainly did land. But your comparing apples and oranges. An Ali straight right in the opening seconds of a fight against a guy with a proven and solid chin is far more innocuous than a Hopkins hook to the body against a smaller opponent in the 9th round...

[spinksjinx]

They always say it is the punch you dont see that puts you out. That punch was lightning fast and connected nicely as fast as it was it had to pack some power. The knockdown was legitimate but the knockout wasnt in my book.

[marvdave]

the punch landed for sure, but for whatever reason, Liston quit. Not enough to knock him out.

[jayrichardse]

huge punch

[shortright]

thrown fight he threw himself down

[Foreman]

Watch the black and white version of the fight. You can clearly see when the punch lands and how Listons head moves and how the muscles and skin in his back and neck ripple. Clearly a hard PERFECTLY placed punch.

As for Listons "acting". I've seen some strange knockdowns before. Look at Hagler-Hearns. It was more of a slapping punch but Hearns started to do a little jig and was all over the ring. Trevor Berbick looked ridiculous when he went down against Tyson. There are lots of other examples of strange looking behavior by a fighter when he's had his bell rung. Liston's shady connections as well as Ali's shady connections all add to the story. Really, if the fight was between two guys you never heard of would it look su****ious? Probably not.

Ray Mercer had a granite chin and took some huge bombs over his career. Who was the first to knock him down? A relatively light hitting Holyfield. Rid**** Bowe looked great in his trilogy with Holy. Overnight Golota made him look less than average by smashing him from pillar to post. It happens sometimes.

[phil" the hitman "manny]

Liston knew he couldnt get near Ali after 1st fight the punch definately connected,good enough to knock him out?

[butterfly1964]

Ali himself knew he didn't really knocked him out. Didn't anyone see the footage of him telling Liston "get up you bum, no body is gonna believe this". I am sure it knocked him down. It connected flush, and liston's head spinned. Also Ali leaned down into that punch. You get more power coming down. Also Liston moved towards Ali's punch which made the punch more powerful.