Muhammad Ali: FBI Files Reveals Report Of Fixed Fight
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1964 Heavyweight Title Fight: Cassius Clay v Sonny Liston
Beloved boxer Muhammad Ali was investigated by the FBI — after the former Cassius Clay joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name while dodging the military draft in 1964! Newly-released documents confirm that FBI agents spied on speeches that he gave at a mosque, and even monitored his divorce from first wife Sonja Clay. But The National ENQUIRER had the bombshell exclusive on the FBI files that truly threatened the champ's legacy, with claims that his legendary win over Sonny Liston was rigged!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Ring Magazine Cover – Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston
The ENQUIRER revealed how Ali's own family was trying to hide the shocking scandal from the dying boxing legend, after top-secret FBI documents exposed how his iconic 1964 victory against reigning champ Liston may have been fixed by the Mob! The fight at the Miami Beach Convention Hall was once named the Fourth Greatest Sports Moment of the 20th Century — and paved the way for Ali to become one of the most popular sports figures of all time.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Cassius Clay Waving Cane Outside Liston Camp
Ali was a brash 22-year-old upstart when he took on the hulking ex-con Liston in the heavyweight title bout. Most boxing experts said that Ali, then still known as Cassius Clay, had little chance to unseat the reigning champ. But that didn't stop a powerful mobster from putting $1 million on Ali to win — and FBI agents suspected that it was a sure thing!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Sonny Liston
A report personally addressed to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover cited Las Vegas gambler Irving "Ash" Resnick as a suspected "fixer" of many pro boxing matches. The close pal of powerful mobster Meyer Lansky had several claims of rigging fights addressed in a 1966 memo — including a claim that Resnick had bet $1 million for Ali to win, and helped Liston secretly bet the same!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Cassius Clay v Sonny Liston
Despite the seemingly long odds against Ali, the young boxer became the heavyweight champion after Liston suddenly quit before the seventh round of their fight. Some insiders were immediately suspicious, with reporter Arthur Daley of the New York Times writing: "Suspicions of larceny are immediately aroused."
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston During Bout
Daley even added that those suspicions "are not helped by the fact that Liston, an ex-convict, was sponsored by mobsters at the start of his career. " The losing fighter later claimed that he threw in the towel over a shoulder injury.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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Cassias Clay Training for Fight
But boxing fans can also take comfort in the FBI agents reporting that Ali seemingly had no idea about the allegedly rigged match — as he went on to earn his career as a boxing legend!
Photo credit: Getty Images
1964 Heavyweight Title Fight: Cassius Clay v Sonny Liston
Beloved boxer Muhammad Ali was investigated by the FBI — after the former Cassius Clay joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name while dodging the military draft in 1964! Newly-released documents confirm that FBI agents spied on speeches that he gave at a mosque, and even monitored his divorce from first wife Sonja Clay. But The National ENQUIRER had the bombshell exclusive on the FBI files that truly threatened the champ's legacy, with claims that his legendary win over Sonny Liston was rigged!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Ring Magazine Cover – Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston
The ENQUIRER revealed how Ali's own family was trying to hide the shocking scandal from the dying boxing legend, after top-secret FBI documents exposed how his iconic 1964 victory against reigning champ Liston may have been fixed by the Mob! The fight at the Miami Beach Convention Hall was once named the Fourth Greatest Sports Moment of the 20th Century — and paved the way for Ali to become one of the most popular sports figures of all time.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Cassius Clay Waving Cane Outside Liston Camp
Ali was a brash 22-year-old upstart when he took on the hulking ex-con Liston in the heavyweight title bout. Most boxing experts said that Ali, then still known as Cassius Clay, had little chance to unseat the reigning champ. But that didn't stop a powerful mobster from putting $1 million on Ali to win — and FBI agents suspected that it was a sure thing!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Sonny Liston
A report personally addressed to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover cited Las Vegas gambler Irving "Ash" Resnick as a suspected "fixer" of many pro boxing matches. The close pal of powerful mobster Meyer Lansky had several claims of rigging fights addressed in a 1966 memo — including a claim that Resnick had bet $1 million for Ali to win, and helped Liston secretly bet the same!
Photo credit: Getty Images
Cassius Clay v Sonny Liston
Despite the seemingly long odds against Ali, the young boxer became the heavyweight champion after Liston suddenly quit before the seventh round of their fight. Some insiders were immediately suspicious, with reporter Arthur Daley of the New York Times writing: "Suspicions of larceny are immediately aroused."
Photo credit: Getty Images
Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston During Bout
Daley even added that those suspicions "are not helped by the fact that Liston, an ex-convict, was sponsored by mobsters at the start of his career. " The losing fighter later claimed that he threw in the towel over a shoulder injury.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Cassias Clay Training for Fight
But boxing fans can also take comfort in the FBI agents reporting that Ali seemingly had no idea about the allegedly rigged match — as he went on to earn his career as a boxing legend!
Photo credit: Getty Images
