Ali and Liston: The Boy Who Would Be King and the Ugly Bear

Set against the backdrop of post-assassination America, the heavyweight championship match between Charles "Sonny" Liston and Cassius Clay unfolds with high stakes. Liston, a notorious figure with ties to organized crime, faces Clay, who is perceived as an outspoken youth linked to the controversial Nation of Islam. The media frames both fighters as anti-heroes, adding tension to their clash in the ring. This pivotal moment in boxing history highlights themes of race, identity, and the complexities of fame in a turbulent era.