The Phantom Punch: The Story Behind Boxing's Most Controversial Bout

Having read a lot of boxing books over the years I thought I knew just about everything as to how and why the Heavyweight Championship of the world came to a tired,old mill town in central Maine.I've never been happier to be more wrong. Rob Seddon covers everything I knew and didn't know in a style that is pleasing and fast moving.A brief history of Lewiston,the careers of Ali and Liston,the politics going on behind the scene because this was largely a fight no one wanted.Fear was in the air. Fear of " Black Muslims" and what might happen if Ali lost.Fight night was worthy of The Three Stooges. Robert Goulet screws up the National Anthem,Ali hits ( we think) Liston with a punch no one sees,the referee,Joe Walcott is WAY over his head. Liston gets up,fall down again gets up again,they start fighting again and Walcott jumps in and declares Liston was counted out.Liston is clear eyed,fresh as a daisy and looks like he just wants to get his purse and get out of town ASAP.Confusion reigns,charges of a fix begin and only Ali is happy.The term "couldn't put it down" is overused,but it applies to me and this book. Enjoy.

The Phantom Punch kept me turning the pages, except for a couple of times when I skipped through what I felt were overly long details about things like the history of boxing promotion in Lewiston and the history of the place where Sonny Liston trained. But generally, a very fun read. I can't say I learned anything definitive that would change my opinion about whether Liston threw the fight, but I don't really think there's much evidence that he did--even if he did look rather comical rolling around on the canvas.

Having attended this Ali-Liston fight and having been present to much of the events leading up to it, I can attest that Rob Sneddon captured the historical details meticulously and expertly as only a seasoned writer and sports fan knows how. He weaves it all into eye-opening revelations of the many long-shot dominoes that fell to cause the famous controversy.A deeply pondered work; in addition to being a wonderful narrative on the personalities of Ali and Liston, The Phantom Punch is a commentary on and reminder of the unpredictable mysteries of life. Sneddon inserts you directly into the emotional whirlwind of the several colorful character's dreams, commitments, betrayals, victories, failures and renewals. He pulls those emotional experiences, dramas and excitements from 1965 and delivers them as real in the pages before you.The book not only gives you a ringside seat at the most controversial World Heavyweight Championship in history, it allows you to marvel at the energy, creativity, commitment and just pure luck needed for a major attraction to come together, while being touched by the effect on the human interests in its direct path.In addition to being the definitive statement on the famous fight, every page is a pleasure to read.My congratulations to Rob Sneddon.John Michael, son of Ali-Liston promoter Sam Michael

This had too much ground already covered in other areas -- the narrow focus may have hindered it.

The most unlikely place for a heavyweight boxing championship match is no doubt Shelby, Montana. Jack Dempsey took on Tommy Gibbons in 1923 in a town that was essentially a collection of railroad crossings in Big Sky Country. A stadium was constructed for the bout, the fight was held (Dempsey won), the stadium came down, and a few people left with some money. The site is now partially occupied by a Burger King. I've been there; it (the location of the fight, not the Burger King) was odd then and it was odd now.The second-most unlikely place for a heavyweight boxing championship match just might be Lewiston, Maine. Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston to retain the title in an unlikely finish."The Phantom Punch" is the story of that unique event, when an odd set of circumstances put one of the jewels of the sporting calendar in a small town in Maine.And after reading the book, you might come to the same conclusion that I did. This is a movie, waiting to be written and filmed.The story is irresistible. Cassius Clay had just knocked out Sonny Liston in 1964, and prompted changed his name to Muhammad Ali to reflect his religious viewpoints. America at that point knew it was scared of Liston, a man not unfamiliar with the nation's law enforcement system. He was something of "The Boogie Man" to many. But some Americans preferred that image to the one portrayed by Ali at the time, as he had joined the Black Muslims. As a result, no one was too anxious to try to host the rematch. When Ali had an operation for a hernia just before that second bout between the men, it gave forces in Boston time to come up with enough power to ban it from that Massachusetts city.The date for the rematch was set, but where should be held? Maine promoter Sam Michael stepped up and offered an arena in Lewiston. Since the backers were more interested in pay-per-view sales than attendance at the bout itself, the offer was accepted.It's tough to imagine what Lewiston must have been like in the days around the fight. It was a small, almost all white, working-class town that had seen tough times. Suddenly, two of the most famous black men in the world turn up for the fight. The dynamics are fascinating, and the book is at its best when describing what went on. For example, Liston - who had a weak spot for kids - spent a morning at an elementary school on a night's notice. He didn't just visit someone's son (who had asked for the visit), but made the rounds of every room in the school. According to all, Liston couldn't have been nicer, and is still well-regarded in Lewiston for his behavior.Then there's the fight itself, which instantly became legendary. With rumors of fixes and murder attempts everywhere, Liston was knocked down by a punch that a lot of people at ringside didn't even see - hence the title of the book. The referee botched the count badly, and the fight resumed ... only to be stopped and declared over.The movie could almost write itself - media members and celebrities arrive in Lewiston, Ali driving a bus down the main streets of the city, residents grabbing a case of soft drinks in order to pose as a delivery person and sneak into the arena."The Phantom Punch" probably lingers a bit much on the story of the promoter and the business deals involved in the fight. It's a little difficult to make that interesting. But author Rob Sneddon knows the boxing business, and makes a good case that Liston at that point in his life was no match for Ali under any circumstances. It's the background story, though, that supplies some charm.It makes for a worthwhile, if a bit short, book. Let's hope Sneddon can sell the movie rights.