After Muhammad Ali's death at the age of 74, we look back at five of his most memorable fights.
Cassius Clay becomes the champ (1964)
Ali, then Cassius Clay, shocked the world when he beat Sonny Liston to claim the heavyweight title. Liston had crushed Floyd Patterson to win the title less than 18 months earlier. He was renowned for his power and ability to take a punch, making him a hot favourite to beat the 22-year-old Ali. Ali was controversially temporarily blinded in the 5th round, but was able to survive and used his speed to get the better of his more-fancied opponent. Liston quit after the 6th round, although various stories exist as to why he threw in the towel. Ali went on to win a controversial rematch, knocking Liston out in the first round.
Ali's greatest fight? (1966)
It wasn't so much a great fight, but it was one many believe to be among the best Ali ever fought. Cleveland Williams was his opponent, coming into Ali's 7th title defence with an impressive record of 65-6 and punching power compared to that of Liston. But he was no match for Ali, who put on a masterclass to finish the fight inside three rounds, claiming a win via technical knockout.
The Fight of the Century (1971)
Ali was two fights back after being banned from boxing for three years when he took on the current champion Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden. Both fighters were undefeated and given Frazier never won the title from Ali, the bout was seen as one to decide the true champion. The fight took on political meaning too, with for many Ali representing the anti-war movement and Frazier the conservative pro-war movement. The fight itself turned into an instant classic and has gone down as one of the greatest sporting events of all time. Frazier prevailed with a unanimous decision, which Ali later claimed was a "white man's decision". Three years later Ali won a rematch, that didn't live up to the spectacle of the first fight, by unanimous decision.
Rumble in the Jungle (1974)
Ali was the challenger for this fight, as he took on the undefeated world champion George Foreman in Zaire. Foreman entered the fight on the back of dominant wins over Ken Norton and Joe Frazier, making a name for himself with his size and raw power. It was Ali's first title shot since his loss to Frazier three years earlier. The fight saw Ali employ his famed 'rope-a-dope' tactic, in which he leant on the ropes and covered up, forcing Foreman to punch himself out. As Foreman fatigued, Ali began to fight back and eventually knocked out an exhausted Foreman in the eighth round to claim back the title.
Thrilla in Manila (1975)
Considered one of the greatest fights of all time, Muhammad Ali took on Frazier for a third time in the bout dubbed the 'Thrilla in Manila'. Having split their earlier fights, this acted as the decider in the trilogy between arguably boxing's greatest ever rivals. The fight took place in sapping heat, with Frazier suggesting the ring temperature was at 49degC. Ali claimed victory via a 14th round TKO in what he said at the time was 'the closest thing to death'. Frazier's corner opted to end the fight before the 15th round, despite protests from Frazier himself. Ali later said he didn't think he could fight any more either.
