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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.
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Comments

  1. Sam A LotMarch 19, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    What a photo! Love your blog.

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  2. Jessica ThompsonMarch 19, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Wow the guy is like twice as big as ali lmao

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  3. Jessica ThompsonMarch 19, 2011 at 5:21 PM

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

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  4. JakeMarch 19, 2011 at 7:00 PM

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

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  5. ErikDesignworkMarch 19, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Muhammad Ali is iconic indeed!

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  6. The Awesome AlienMarch 19, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    that camera really did capture history

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  7. Every DayMarch 19, 2011 at 7:32 PM

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

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  8. fabio_2007March 19, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    this pic looks awesome

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  9. SamMarch 19, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!!

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  10. DeadBeefMarch 19, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    This picture will always stand the test of time

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  11. PolybiusMarch 19, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    truly awesome photo

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  12. RobertMarch 19, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    History is in that picture!

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  13. ErikaMarch 19, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    His facial expression XD

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  14. Franco - TRGMarch 19, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    A great photo.
    It's also very inspiring!

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  15. CocoMarch 19, 2011 at 10:07 PM

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

    following you

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  16. TheHarvesterMarch 19, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    he looks like Breno vom fc bayern munich lol

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  17. InhiaMarch 19, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    this guy, was such a baller.

    F&S

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  18. BartMarch 19, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    he was all talk :D

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  19. Fix PC Games AdminMarch 20, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    they are beast

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  20. DudemeisterMarch 20, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    He'll always be Cassius Clay to me.

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  21. TasosMarch 20, 2011 at 1:49 AM

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

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  22. chronometerMarch 20, 2011 at 2:02 AM

    What can I say... Great picture!

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  23. T. BanacekMarch 20, 2011 at 2:28 AM

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

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  24. ChrisMarch 20, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    He's always stinging like a bee.

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  25. GMarch 20, 2011 at 2:58 AM

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

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  26. MoobeatMarch 20, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    love it

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  27. ShutterbugMarch 20, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    It's a winning photo! ;)

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  28. Give EverythingMarch 20, 2011 at 4:23 AM

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

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  29. TrapperMarch 20, 2011 at 6:40 AM

    Awesome photo! You always deliver!

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  30. BassislvMarch 20, 2011 at 7:23 AM

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

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  31. AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 7:53 AM

    a true legend!

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  32. AnonymousMarch 20, 2011 at 8:32 AM

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

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  33. ArcitaMarch 20, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    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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  34. Big UnicornMarch 20, 2011 at 9:16 AM

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

    Supported.
    bigunicorn.blogspot.com

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  35. ChefJRHMarch 20, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    This is a great picture!

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  36. ExoticBloggerMarch 20, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    love this photo! nice blog!

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  37. SamMarch 20, 2011 at 11:58 AM

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

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  38. T. Roger ThomasMarch 20, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Looking forward to your next post.

    Following btw.



    http://cleansheetsanddirtygirls.blogspot.com/

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  39. JoshMarch 20, 2011 at 2:31 PM

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

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  40. LennyMarch 20, 2011 at 4:05 PM

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

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  41. ElemementalMarch 20, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    he looks angry

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  42. AlphabetaMarch 20, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Ali Kumbaya!

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  43. BubiMarch 20, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    that's scary

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  44. The Angry LurkerMarch 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    A legend in his prime, beautiful picture.

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  45. My name is Maman. I'm one who likes all kinds of music.March 21, 2011 at 12:01 AM

    beautiful angle shooting.

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  46. RawMarch 21, 2011 at 12:35 AM

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

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  47. duffboiMarch 21, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    epic win, it appears :)

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  48. AnonfourtwentyMarch 21, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    This is a sweet blog. LOVE this picture!

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  49. SkimboshMarch 21, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    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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  50. TrapperMarch 21, 2011 at 3:52 AM

    One of my fav blogs, love these classic pics

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  51. steveMarch 21, 2011 at 4:03 AM

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

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  52. CharlesMarch 21, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    nice pic

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  53. skinned sheepMarch 21, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    haha hes all like yeeeeeee.....

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  54. ChristopheMarch 21, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    WOW! That's an amazing photo.

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  55. AzurikaiMarch 21, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    has this in mah dorm room!

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  56. Found on the Internet TodayMarch 21, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    He is and always will be the greatest.

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  57. DocStoutMarch 22, 2011 at 2:40 AM

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

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  58. JaksonHuntMarch 22, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    such a powerful photo

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  59. TeukkaMarch 22, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Awesome pic man :)

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  60. JFosterMarch 24, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    This is an absolute classic

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  61. Joe SafdamMarch 28, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    Epic moment brilliantly captured :)

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  62. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Now THAT'S an iconic photo.

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  63. asldkasdMarch 29, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    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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  64. HiFiMarch 31, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Awesome photo! Ali the conqueror.

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  65. InternettttApril 1, 2011 at 6:54 AM

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

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  66. VexuApril 7, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    wonderful photo, thx for sharing :)

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  67. Bill RighteousApril 7, 2011 at 3:42 AM

    Thats right, EAT MY FIST!

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  68. SamApril 7, 2011 at 5:16 AM

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

    followed!!

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