56 years ago

Date: 22nd November 1965

Venue: Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Title: WBC World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: None

Muhammad Ali
( 21 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 210 lbs

Floyd Patterson
( 43 - 4 - 0 )
Weight: 196 3/4 lbs

Making the second defence of the WBC World Heavyweight Title he won from Sonny Liston, Ali stopped former world champion, Patterson, in the 12th round at The Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Referee Harold Krause ended matters at 2:15 of the 12th round.

The build-up to the fight was bitter with many derisory statements made.

Ali nicknamed Patterson "The Rabbit" because "he's scared like a rabbit."

Joe Louis said after the fight, "He could have knocked Patterson out whenever he wanted, but let's face it, Clay is selfish and cruel."