Lewiston pays tribute to Muhammad Ali with first full-body bronze statue

Nearly 60 years after Muhammad Ali delivered his legendary “Phantom Punch” in a fight that unexpectedly put Lewiston on the global sports map, the city is honoring the moment — and the man — with a historic tribute.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, city officials and local leaders plan to unveil the nation’s first full-body bronze statue of Muhammad Ali. The sculpture, created by Philadelphia-based artist Zenos Frudakis, will stand at 65 Main Street, near Bates Mill No. 5.

"This is more than a tribute to a great athlete," Lewiston artist Charlie Hewitt said in a press release issued by the city. "It’s a recognition of resilience, transformation, and dignity."

The event carries deeper meaning for Lewiston, a city still healing from the trauma of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting in 2023. Organizers say the statue represents not just a celebration of the past, but a commitment to civic pride and renewal.

Ali’s legendary fight in Lewiston took place on May 25, 1965, when he defended his heavyweight title against Sonny Liston. After major cities like Boston declined to host the rematch due to its controversy, Lewiston stepped in, according to the release. In a matter of days, a local promoter converted the Central Maine Youth Center — now The Colisée — into a professional boxing venue.

What followed became one of the most iconic moments in boxing history: a swift, first-round knockout punch that dropped Liston to the mat, captured in a photograph that remains one of the most famous sports images of all time.

"Ali is part of our story," community leader Tom Platz said. "This statue honors our roots — immigrant, working class, tough — and our belief that something great can come from even the most unexpected places."