LEWISTON — Award-winning journalist Rob Sneddon will present a talk at the Lewiston Public Library on his latest book, “The Phantom Punch: the Story Behind Boxing’s Most Controversial Bout” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in Callahan Hall.

The event is free.

In the book, Sneddon takes a fresh look at the infamous Muhammad Ali/Sonny Liston fight in Lewiston on May 25, 1965. The author digs deep into the fight’s background and comes up with fresh insights on Ali’s rapid rise and Liston’s sudden fall. He also explains how the fight ended up in Lewiston in the first place, a vital part of the story that’s never been fully told before.

“I became fascinated with Sam Michael, the boxing promoter who became the head of Lewiston’s Department of Economic Development,” Sneddon said. “He not only lured some new businesses to Lewiston, but he also brought a world heavyweight title fight to town. That aspect of the story interested me as much as the controversy surrounding the first-round knockout.”

In addition to fleshing out Lewiston’s backstory, Sneddon also reaches some surprising conclusions about Ali’s so-called “phantom punch.” That single lightning-quick blow triggered a complex chain reaction of events that few people understood, either then or now.

According to library Director Rick Speer, “Even if you were there or have seen films of the fight and think you know what happened, this book will change your perspective on boxing’s greatest controversy.”

Sneddon is a contributing editor at Down East magazine and his freelance work has appeared in a variety of publications, including the Boston Globe. His first book, “Boston’s 100 Greatest Games,” was one of the 2015 winners of the Independent Publishers of New England book awards.

The library program will be followed by a question-and-answer session along with a book sale and signing.

FMI: 207-513-3135, [email protected].