LEWISTON, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Muhammad Ali had a very strong connection to the state of Maine. In 1965, he defended his heavyweight title in Lewiston, beating Sonny Liston in the first minute of the first round.
There's history in the halls of the Lewiston Colisee.
It was May 25th, 1965 — Cassius Clay versus Sonny Liston — and controversy swirled around the two, partially because Clay had just changed his name to Muhammad Ali. He was defending his heavyweight title, and it led to one of the most famous photographs in all of sports.
"We were one of the few venues, if not the only venue that gave him a chance to have the world heavyweight title fight when other venues said no," said John Jenkins, mayor of Lewiston in 1995.
This poster stands outside the Lewiston Colisee. #RIPMuhammadAli @WCSH6 @WLBZ2 pic.twitter.com/HXZiMR1FSx
— Chris Costa (@ChrisCostaTV) June 4, 2016
Jenkins truly knows Ali. He hosted the 'Louisville Lip' and Floyd Patterson on the 30th anniversary of Ali's title fight.
"Well it's a personal friend, so you have someone that you've come to know and call a friend and be considered a friend," Jenkins said. "It is a loss and it's a sadness."
Portland Boxing Club owner Bob Russo was nine-years-old when he saw the fight in person.
"It was young versus old and fast versus slow," Russo said. "[Ali's] cat-like instincts and reflexes and quick speed, was just second to none."
"He really became 'The Greatest' because of all the great humanitarian things that he did in life after boxing," Russo said.
A tribute in Portland to #RIPAli #RIPChamp @WCSH6 @WLBZ2 pic.twitter.com/TvTPqtb0Pg
— Chris Costa (@ChrisCostaTV) June 4, 2016
It's those attributes that friends like John Jenkins will remember.
"He didn't talk a whole lot, but the words he did say were meaningful and how gracious and caring he was for all those around him," Jenkins said. "So, it's a loss, but at the same time, it just encourages me more to spread that message to all those who wish to hear."