Clay weighed in at 210 lb (95 kg) while Liston was several pounds over his prime fighting weight at 218 lb (99 kg) (at age 22 Liston had weighed 206 lbs while at 32 Ali weighed 217 lbs). Many of those watching were surprised during the referee's instructions to see that Clay was considerably taller than Liston. While receiving instructions, Liston glowered at Clay, while Clay stared back and stood on his toes to appear even taller. Clay later said of the moment: "I won't lie, I was scared… It frightened me, just knowing how hard he hit. But I didn't have no choice but to go out and fight."
During the fight something, I think it was a salve that had been put on a Liston cut, got in Clay's eye. They almost stopped the fight, but his manager or his Doctor kept him in the ring and eventually it cleared up. We may never have heard of Muhammad Ali if he had not sent him back in the ring. I remember the fight, I think he entered the ring as Cassius Clay and exited as Ali. It was Fifty years ago today ..................
