February 25, 1964 Immediately after the bout was stopped, Sonny had his left shoulder wrapped in athletic tape, by Manager - Jack Nilon. Jack Nilon then took Sonny (alone) to the St. Francis Hospital. Sonny was then examined by Miami State Boxing Commission Physician, Dr. Alexander Robbins. The examination revealed a badly torn left bicep muscle, that Dr. Robbins believed happened in the 1st-Round. This content is protected
His arm in a sling, and accompanied by a personal physician, Dr. Robert C. Bennett of Detroit, Liston quietly said that his big mistake was to throw everything in the first round. He said he would have beaten Clay except for his arm injury, which Dr. Bennett said was a torn left biceps muscle. Clay said that he would give Liston a rematch if "he wants one." Liston says he'll fight Clay again "if he gives me one."
Clay said today that he thought some caustic solution from Liston's glove or head had got into his eyes. He hinted that heavy bettors might have tried some "trick" and that he was "worried" and "watching out for something." In that fifth round, Clay, claiming near-blindness for most of it, merely avoided Liston, never throwing punches. Several times he stretched his left glove to touch Liston's nose and keep the champion at arm's length. In his own news conference, Liston said he could have broken that outstretched arm but his own injury made him unable to lift his arm.
