Miami Beach Exhibit Commemorates 60th Anniversary of Ali’s Historic Win
A significant chapter in Muhammad Ali’s boxing career unfolded in Miami Beach. The renowned pugilist clinched the first of his three world heavyweight titles at the Miami Beach Convention Center in 1964, where he, then known as Cassius Clay, squared off against the defending champion Sonny Liston. This iconic fight catapulted Ali to international fame and gave birth to his renowned declaration, “I shook up the world!”
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of this memorable fight, the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District and HistoryMiami Museum have collaborated to present an exhibit celebrating Ali’s legacy, characterized by his ability to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” The exhibit will be held from Friday, February 23, to Monday, April 1, at 555 Washington Ave., strategically chosen as it was the erstwhile location of the 5th Street Gym, where Ali honed his skills for several years.
The opening of the exhibit will be graced by Ali’s friend and singer Sam Moore, better known as “Soul Man,” along with members of Ali’s family. Troy Wright, the Executive Director of the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, said, “The 60th anniversary was not a milestone we’d let pass without paying homage to him.”
The exhibit traces Ali’s journey from his birth in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, to his death in 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona, through a collection of photographs, videos, and artifacts. One remarkable section features around 50 photos clicked by Miami Herald photographers on the eve of the Ali-Liston fight in Miami Beach. A famous photograph of Ali posing underwater in a boxing stance, taken by Flip Schulke in a pool at the now-defunct Sir John Hotel in Overtown, is a must-see.
An artistic representation of a boxing ring will form the exhibit’s centerpiece, framed by Ali’s robes, shoes, and championship belts. Also on display will be the very scale used for the Ali-Liston pre-fight weigh-in.
The celebration continues beyond the exhibit, with O Cinema screening the documentaries When We Were Kings (1996) and Muhammad Ali (2021) for free on Saturday, February 24, followed by the declaration of Muhammad Ali Day in Miami on February 25.
It is hoped this tribute helps fans and newcomers alike appreciate the legendary Ali’s unparalleled contribution to sports. As the exhibit was being set up, nostalgia was already in the air, with one of the exhibit setup workers getting emotional while reminiscing about Ali. As Knight rightly puts it, “Ali was more than just a boxer. He was one of a kind.”
Muhammad Ali 60th Anniversary. From 12 PM on Friday, February 23, to Monday, April 1, at 555 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; washavemb.com. Tickets ranging from $15 to $25 are available at eventbrite.com.