| Fight Name: | Cassius Clay vs. Tony Esperti |
| Fight Date: | January 17, 1961 |
| Location: | Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida |
| Fighter1: |  Cassius Clay |
| Nickname1: | "The Louisville Lip" |
| Hometown1: | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Record1: | 2–0 (1 KO) |
| Height1: | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight1: | 195 lb |
| Style1: | Orthodox |
| Recognition1: | 1960 Olympic light heavyweight Gold Medallist |
| Fighter2: | Tony Esperti |
| Nickname2: | "Big Tony" |
| Hometown2: | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Record2: | 9–5–2 (5 KO) |
| Age2: | Unknown |
| Height2: | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight2: | 197 lb |
| Style2: | Orthodox |
| Result: | Clay won by TKO in 3rd round (1:30) |
Cassius Clay vs. Tony Esperti was a professional boxing match contested on January 17, 1961.[1]
The fight took place on Clay's 19th birthday and was part of the undercard to Gomeo Brennan vs. Cecil Shorts. Esperti was making his first appearance inside the ring in 6 years.
Clay won the bout through a technical knockout when the referee stopped the fight in the third round after Esparti's left eye had been cut by Clay's jabs.
Esperti was later convicted of first degree murder for gunning down mafia boss Thomas Altamura, a member of the Gambino crime family.[2] [3] [4] [5]
Confirmed bouts:[6]