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After Gaining Newfound Interest in Heavyweight Boxing, Kevin Garnett Gives 2-Word Reaction to Wild Muhammad Ali Incident

Published 11/13/2023, 12:43 AM EST

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It’s not a new thing for NBA legends to be enraptured by the world of boxing. Kevin Garnett keeps track of the goings-on both in and outside of the ring. One historic incident that is imprinted on boxing fans’ memory is back to The Kid’s attention. It’s decades old, but still manages to rattle a reaction out of the Boston Celtics champion. And it’s not even an incident from the contentious bout.

Months ago, Joe Rogan discussed the historic bout between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston. It was contentious for several reasons, including one jaw-dropping moment outside that match.

Kevin Garnett astounded by fearsome boxer

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As much as basketball fans were awed by the several spectacular feats of Kevin Garnett, the Big Ticket feels similarly about boxing stars. The 2004 NBA MVP usually has hot takes on the boxing ring but recently, he was reminded of a shocking incident by Joe Rogan. Weeks earlier, Rogan brought up the historic matchup between Muhammad Ali (then still Cassius Clay) and Sonny Liston in 1964-65.

There was an incident preceding the bout. And KG reshared Rogan’s clip on his Instagram stories, talking about it with a summative reaction. “Crazy story.” He added a couple of fuming and 100% emojis to emphasize. What was the incident that got such a reaction out of Garnett?

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Liston was a scary character in his prime. Clay was dominating the arena and took it upon himself to bother this intimidating boxer. Tensions reached a head one day when Liston was in the Las Vegas casino, Desert Inn’s craps table. Clay tried to pester him during his game of blackjack when Liston turned it around aggressively.

He pulled out a gun and fired shots in the air. Clay and his entourage fled immediately. The gun, Liston showed, was filled with blanks but it was a terrifying display of his nature as well.

Clay had previously pulled up in front of Liston’s home with a bullhorn to disturb him at the crack of dawn. Liston had been annoyed with his antics enough. With the aggressive move, he had effectively traumatized Muhammad Ali who admitted he was terrified of the episode.

Rogan called it, “one of the craziest things you’re ever gonna see in your life.” Garnett echoed that sentiment. That won’t be the only incident in the sport that had him riled.

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An incident put off KG from boxing

The matchup between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou had made more than one NBA star excited. But when Ngannou lost by three points, Garnett’s excitement turned to disappointment. It made him disavow the entire sport after that bout.

Boxing full of S**t… done with it,” he wrote at that time. Clearly he’s lying because here he is obsessing over the six-decade-old rivalry between Ali and Liston.

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Garnett will never run out of opinions on sports though. At least he’s back to enjoying boxing with the wildest story in the history of the ring.

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Written by:

Caroline John

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I was 7 when I saw 'Space Jam' but didn't know till the third rewatch the lead actor is actually a living basketball legend. It was while studying journalism that my friend would go on about the Warriors from Golden State. Keen on athletes' personas outside their arenas, it was Stephen Curry's confidence and philanthropy that drew me to follow the news on NBA pros and explore sports media.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair