1) Tunney Hunsaker Points6: Cassius Clay: The Early Years TV - Ali v Tyson: Who Was Greatest? TV -
At age 18 Clay won his first pro fight over Tunney Hunsaker. Cassius Clay: The Early Years
When Cassius Clay began his professional career he too fought nearly a fight a month ... Hunsaker was easily dispatched in six rounds. Ali v Tyson: Who Was Greatest?
2) Herb Siler KO4: Ali v Tyson: Who Was Greatest? TV -
In all Ali would rack up nine knockouts in a row in less than a year. Ali v Tyson: Who Was Greatest?
3) Tony Esperti TKO3:
4) Jimmy Robinson KO1:
5) Donnie Fleeman TKO7:
6) LaMar Clark KO2:
7) Duke Sabedong Points10:
8) Alonzo Johnson Points10:
9) Alex Miteff TKO6:
10) Willi Besmanoff TKO7:
11) Sonny Banks TKO4:
12) Don Warner TKO4: Muhammad Ali -
He wasn’t too friendly. He didn’t shake my hand. Now he must fall. Muhammad Ali, televised interview while punching tall bag
13) George Logan TKO4:
14) Billy Daniels TKO4: US Fight Commentary TV -
Clay has tremendously fast hands ... I guess he knows what he’s doing. US fight commentary
15) Alejandro Lavorante KO5:
16) Archie Moore TKO4: US Fight Commentary TV -
v Archie Moore 15th November 1962 Los Angeles: [r1] … Clay holding his hands down dangerously [sic] … Archie doing a good job of covering up … It is also contempt Clay is showing for Moore … [r2] … Clay is going high in almost all his punches … He actually thinks he will knock out Moore in the fourth round … Good right hand by Clay … [r3] … His hands appear so fast … Right and another right and Moore is on his way … Moore very groggy … [r4] … He is wobbling … And it’s all over. US fight commentary
17) Charley Powell KO5:
18) Doug Jones Points10: Jerry Izenberg - Muhammad Ali: Ringside TV -
I think the judges were very kind, very charitable, and very career oriented and gave him the decision. I really think Doug beat him. Jerry Izenberg, boxing journalist
cf.
Bert had it differently: six to four. Muhammad Ali: Ringside
19) Henry Cooper TKO5: When Ali Came to Britain TV - Alan Hubbard - Harry Carpenter & UK Fight Commentary TV - Angelo Dundee -
But Cooper was certainly the underdog. Cassius Clay was the Olympic champion, undefeated in eighteen professional bouts and about two stone heavier. (Boxers: Ali & Boxers: Cooper) When Ali Came to Britain, 2012
Sitting at the ringside was Elizabeth Taylor ... who had just made the film Cleopatra. His eyes widened and he mouthed, ‘Hiya, Cleopatra.’ And a few seconds later Henry hit him. Alan Hubbard, boxing correspondent Independent on Sunday
It’s sixty-five seconds instead of sixty. Harry Carpenter
v Henry Cooper 18 June 1963 London: [r1] And Clay has said I’ll beat him in five ... Cooper quick to pick up the left hook, and he’s going in and he’s hurt Clay ... The left hook of Cooper scores quickly. And Clay’s nose in bleeding in the first minute from the left hook of Cooper ... [r2] ... Clay trying to open up his own left jab and hook ... Clay now working on Cooper’s face ... Now Cooper seems to be cut slightly underneath the left eye ... It’s a battle of left hands [r3] ... Henry Cooper is cut over the left eye ... His arms are down by his hips ... This is complete cheek on the part of Clay ... Clay has taken all of Cooper’s punches and has stood up to them ... [r4] ... Poor Cooper keeps putting his left glove up there ... The bell has sounded and he is up at about three, Clay ... There’s a good left hook ... A left hook. Clay took one chance too many. And he still doesn’t know where he is. He’s still half out, Clay. And they are working furiously on him in the corner ... He doesn’t know where he is. He is looking at his corner ... [r5] ... I think Clay has got a torn glove. No, he seems to be all right ... Cooper’s left eye pouring blood ... It’s all over in Round Five. Harry Carpenter, UK fight commentary
He got nailed. Thank heaven the bell rang. Angelo Dundee
I stood him up. Angelo Dundee
20) Sonny Liston TKO7: Muhammad Ali - Ali v Tyson: Who Was Greatest? TV - Hall of Fame: Do You Remember the First Time? TV - Bert Randolph Sugar - Angelo Dundee - Thomas Hauser - Manning Marable - Steve Ellis & US Fight Commentary TV - Harry Carpenter & UK Fight Commentary TV -
Clay comes out to meet Liston and Liston starts to retreat.
If Liston goes back an inch farther he’ll end up in a ringside seat.
Clay swings with his left, Clay swings with his right,
Look at young Cassius carry the fight.
Liston keeps backing, but there’s not enough room,
It’s a matter of time till Clay lowers the boom.
Now Clay lands with a right, what a beautiful swing,
And the punch raises the Bear clean out of the ring.
Liston is still rising and the ref wears a frown,
For he can’t start counting till Sonny goes down.
Now Liston is disappearing from view, the crowd is going frantic,
But radar stations have picked him up, somewhere over the Atlantic.
Who would have thought when they came to the fight
That they’d witness the launching of a human satellite?
Yes the crowd did not dream, when they put up the money,
That they would see a total eclipse of the Sonny. Muhammad Ali, cited Bill Traughber, The City Paper 4th June 2002
The most beautiful fighter in the world today.
He talks a great deal, and brags indeed-y
Of a muscular punch that’s incredibly speed-y.
The fistic world was dull and weary,
But with a champ like Liston, things had to be dreary.
Then someone with color and someone with dash,
Brought fight fans are runnin’ with Cash.
This brash young boxer is something to see
And the heavyweight championship is his des-tin-y.
This kid fights great; he’s got speed and endurance,
But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance.
This kid’s got a left; this kid’s got a right,
If he hit you once, you’re asleep for the night.
And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts ten,
You’ll pray that you won’t have to fight me again.
For I am the man this poem’s about,
The next champ of the world, there isn’t a doubt.
This I predict and I know the score,
I’ll be champ of the world in ’64 ... Muhammad Ali, This is the Legend of Cassius Clay, 1964
I am the champion of the world. I am the champion of the world. I am the champion of the world. I am the champion of the world. I am be the greatest thing that ever lived. I don’t have a mark on my face. I’m so great I don’t have a mark on my face. And I’ve upset Sonny Liston. And I’ve just turned twenty-two years old. I must be the Greatest. I told the world! I talk to God every day. If God’s with me, can’t nobody be against me. I shook up the world! I know God. I know the real God. Muhammad Ali, post-fight interview
I am the King of the World. I’m pretty. I’m a bad man. I shook up the world. I shook up the world. I shook up the world. You must listen to me. ibid.
I told you and you and you and you. I’m the King of the World. Now you must bow to me. Muhammad Ali to ringside journalists, cited Jerry Izenberg, boxing journalist
The odds-makers made Clay an 8/1 underdog. cited Ali v Tyson: Who Was Greatest?
He was lined up to face the awesome Sonny Liston for the world Heavyweight title ... Hall of Fame: Do You Remember the First Time?