The Greatest


Borrowing from the Iconic Photos Blog and in keeping with the theme from the previous week's image, this week also features something that has to do with sports. The historic photograph above was taken by Neil Leifer and shows the great Muhammad Ali standing over a knocked down Sonny Liston during their second fight for the WBA/WBC Heavyweight Championship held on May 25, 1965 in the city of Lewiston, Maine.

This photo has become one of the most iconic in boxing and in sports, and was chosen as the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine's "The Century's Greatest Sports Photos."

Growing up as a child, the name of Muhammad Ali was already legendary to me. While I had never watched an Ali bout before, I didn't have to when I saw this picture. Without knowing any details of any of his fights or his personal life, you can instantly guess the kind of man he was: a true athlete, a confident character, a real winner.

The fight was over within the second round of the match and many speculated that Liston threw the bout for different reasons, but regardless of how he went down, he was truly and utterly defeated that day. Liston lies helpless, looking up at the towering and powerful figure of Ali who seems to be screaming, "I am the greatest!"

Mr. Leifer's career as a photojournalist spans over 40 years, covering different sporting events for various Time, Inc. magazines. Even with all the other great photographs that he has taken, it is this one that has cemented his reputation as one of the greatest sports photographers of all time.

Comments

  1. Wow the guy is like twice as big as ali lmao

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  2. Lmao, that guy is at least twice as big as ali!

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  3. Always had respect for Ali! A great boxer and what a great photo of him!

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  4. that camera really did capture history

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  5. Awesome, I too never watched a bout by Ali before.

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  6. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!!

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  7. This picture will always stand the test of time

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  8. A great photo.
    It's also very inspiring!

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  9. oohh... that's should hurt.. nice post lol...

    following you

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  10. he looks like Breno vom fc bayern munich lol

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  11. this guy, was such a baller.

    F&S

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  12. He'll always be Cassius Clay to me.

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  13. speaking of immortalizing the moment. you are doing it right!

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  14. I heard this picture was staged and that Liston was paid to take a dive.

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  15. He's always stinging like a bee.

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  16. Loved ALi's fights - he was such a showman!

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  17. THE BEST, tho is sad to watch him nowadays, he can barely talk :(

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  18. Awesome photo! You always deliver!

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  19. This pic needs some captions, I can imagine how funny it can be

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  20. When you look at this picture you can tell he's a winner :D

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  21. ah awesome post. i actually just got done watching the fighter so i have boxing on my mind as well.

    followed. get back at me:
    http://josepharcita.blogspot.com

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  22. Hell yeah, muthafuckin ALI. This poster features prominently in my boxing gym.

    Supported.
    bigunicorn.blogspot.com

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  23. This is an amazing image, I'm saving it!

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  24. Looking forward to your next post.

    Following btw.



    http://cleansheetsanddirtygirls.blogspot.com/

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  25. Fantastic picture. I've never really sat with it before.

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  26. awesome blog!
    following.
    http://le-nerd.blogspot.com/

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  27. A legend in his prime, beautiful picture.

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  28. What a great shot, he was at the perfect spot for that one.

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  29. This is a sweet blog. LOVE this picture!

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  30. I find it hard to believe that isn't a posed shot. I know it isn't, but it is one of those moments.

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  31. One of my fav blogs, love these classic pics

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  32. what a beautiful photo. It captured the moment, i feel like i am there just by looking at the photo

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  33. Nothing I've seen in modern sports photography can hold a candle to this image.

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  34. Epic moment brilliantly captured :)

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  35. Now THAT'S an iconic photo.

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  36. That is a good picture, captured the moment perfectly. On another note, a relative of mine (grandfathers brother maybe?) took a picture of a footballer and his teammate hugging after a game that's not an actual trophy given out. It's pretty awesome.

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  37. Awesome photo! Ali the conqueror.

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  38. an all time great photo of an all time great! i love your blog!

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  39. wonderful photo, thx for sharing :)

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  40. Deep emotion inside that!!
    great posting please post more!!

    followed!!

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