5 biggest upsets in boxing history

#3 Cassius Clay vs Sonny Liston 1

Liston suffered a shock defeat at the hands of a young Cassius Clay.

Sonny Liston is widely regarded as one of the best boxers of all time. Liston was known for his aura of invincibility and unbridled ferociousness both inside and outside the ring.

It was in the latter stages of his career that he happened to cross paths with a strange man, so to speak. That brash, outspoken man was then known as Cassius Clay, who’d later etch himself in the history books as Muhammad Ali.

Liston and Clay fought twice, with the latter winning both bouts. However, it was their first encounter that sent shockwaves throughout the combat sports community.

Liston couldn’t land a single clean shot on Clay. No, seriously! The fight was bonkers and if you are to re-watch it, you’d get how crazy the atmosphere surrounding the fight and how it turned out, actually was. The Heavyweight titan quit on the stool and a star was born in Clay/Ali.

Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali eventually immortalized himself, carving a unique niche for himself in the world of professional boxing.