Photographer Neil Leifer's 40th Fight Anniversary Visit

Neil Leifer (left), photographer of the in-color Phantom Punch shot on May 25, 1965, visited Lewiston in May of 2005, the year of the 40th fight anniversary. He spent time with then Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau, and the "set" was recreated for photography purposes.  Mr. Leifer was being featured in a Sports Illustrated feature at the time.

During the 2005 visit to Lewiston, HBO Real Sports journalist Frank Deford (left) interviews Neil Leifer (right) at the site of Leifer's iconic Ali picture on the 40th anniversary of the fight, May 25, 2005.

May 20, 2023 Phone Interview with Neil Leifer