Ali Under Heavy Guard as Possible Threats Are Noted

May 20, 1965 - Police Chief Joseph Farrand of Lewiston, Maine, said today he had nearly tripled his force for Tuesday’s heavyweight title fight because of reports that followers of the late Malcolm X might try to kill Muhammad Ali (pictured with Detective Edwin Michalik), a Black Muslim.

Ali, who won the championship from Sonny Liston, has been considered a prime target for black nationalists who followed Malcolm X. Mr. X was shot and killed Feb. 21 while speaking to a meeting of his organization in New York. Three Black Muslims were later arrested and charged in connection with the assassination. 

The champion is a leading symbol of the Black Muslim movement from which Malcolm X defected last year.

Farrand said he would have almost 200 men divided into details, each with a specific job. The normal police force in Lewiston is 72.

Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, is an 8-to-5 underdog in his return match with Liston. The reports of possible violence the night of the fight are being ignored in his training headquarters at Chicopee, Mass.

Farrand said: “We’ve had no specific report from Clay’s camp or any other source that there’s anything at all anticipated.” He said he had “no knowledge” of any threats against Alli.

The chief said that even if he did have warning of impending trouble, he would not divulge any special security measures that he might set up.

In addition to the local police force, the Central Maine Youth Center, where the fight is to be held, will be patrolled by state police, sheriff’s deputies, state parks police, a county civil defense reserve unit, and others.

“We will have men in strategic positions to prevent any difficulty of any kind. We do not expect any violence, but we must be prepared because this is an unusual event,” Farrand said.

Meanwhile, Liston’s trainer said today the challenger would have to wear down Ali before knocking him out.

Willie Reddish said: “It won’t be a quick fight. The only way Sonny can stop him is to slow him down first. We hope Sonny will do that with body punches.” He predicted the wearing-down process might take six or seven rounds.

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