Rare purple ticket stub for the heavyweight championship fight between Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson on July 22, 1963, 3.75 x 2.5, signed on the reverse in blue ballpoint, “Cassius Clay.” In very good condition, with heavy intersecting folds and a tear extending from the top edge through the first letter of the signature. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Clay attended the fight, which saw Liston knock out Patterson two minutes into the first round. After the fight Clay jumped into the ring and taunted Liston, demanding a championship bout as soon as possible. Scheduled for February 1964, this became one of the most anticipated fights of all time. Clay—the underdog—was declared the winner by technical knockout after Liston failed to answer the bell in the seventh round. Two days later, Clay announced that he had joined the Nation of Islam and soon after revealed his new name, Muhammad Ali. This set the stage for Ali vs. Liston II, which became immortalized in one of the most famous photographs of the 20th century, Ali pumping his fist while standing over his vanquished foe.
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