Muhammad Ali was much more than a championship boxer. He was also a natural entertainer. In February 1963, a year before he changed his name, LIFE magazine wrote “Cassius Clay has the loudest—and most lyrical—mouth in the history of boxing and the fists to back it up.”
In March 1963 LIFE photographer George Silk photographed Ali for his fight with Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden, one which was meant to a be a potential stepping stone to a title shot against Sonny Liston. Ali came into the fight against Jones, another top contender, with a 17-0 record and already carrying himself like a superstar. The most popular photo from this set shows Ali, young and lean, mouth aroar as he met with the media before the fight. This image of the young and bombastic Ali is one of the top sellers in the LIFE online print store.
It is but one of many evocative photos from the lead-up to the fight. Another shows Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee, placing a piece of tape over the boxer’s mouth, a playful nod to the fact that not everyone enjoyed the boasting of “the Louisville Lip.”
Before the fight Ali announced that he would finish off Jones in four rounds—one of Silk’s photos shows Ali, mouth still taped, holding up four fingers to remind everyone of his prediction. Ali did beat Jones, but the fight went a full ten rounds and was much closer than people expected. While the judges gave the decision to Ali narrowly but unanimously, many observers thought Jones had won the fight. Afterward UPI surveyed 25 ringside writers, and their vote was 13 for Jones to 10 for Ali, with two calling it a draw.
After the fight Jones said of Ali, “I’m not knocking his big mouth. He made me a lot of dough. He talks a lot outside but doesn’t show much in the ring. He better fight me again before he even thinks of Liston.”
Ali did not fight Jones again, though. He moved on to his title shot against Liston, winning the heavyweight championship in February 1964 and becoming as famous around the globe as any athlete has ever been. Ali didn’t lose a professional fight until 1971, in a decision against Joe Frazier in the “Fight of the Century.”
At first glance these 1963 photos by George Silk feel like they capture the story of the inevitable rise of Ali. But if the judges had seen the fight the way the ringside writers did, it is possible that the narrative of one of the most fascinating characters of the 20th century would have taken a very different form.
Muhammad Alin, then known as Cassius Clay, before his fight with Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, held a locker room media session before his fight with Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Alin, then known as Cassius Clay, spoke to the media before his fight with Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, exuded confidence to reporters before his fight with Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay and criticized for talking too much, theatrically had his mouth taped by trainer Angelo Dundee before a fight with Doug Jones, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, despite wearing tape over his mouth as a mocking gesture toward people who said he talked too much, used a finger gesture to promise that he would defeat Doug Jones in four rounds at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) defeated Doug Jones in ten rounds in Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/LIfe Picture Collection/Shutterstock.
Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) defeated Doug Jones in ten rounds in Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) defeated Doug Jones in ten rounds in Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) defeated Doug Jones in ten rounds in Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, fought Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) defeated Doug Jones in ten rounds in Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeated Doug Jones in ten rounds at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, had his hand raised in victory after defeating Doug Jones in 10 rounds in close heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden, March 13, 1963.
George Silk/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
