LEWISTON — Was it a knockout punch or a fix? More than 50 years after the infamous Ali-Liston heavyweight championship fight in Lewiston, people still wonder about it.

A large audience heard Rob Sneddon, author of a new book, “The Phantom Punch,” outline fascinating details that went far beyond the blink-of-an-eye finish to that legendary match at the Central Maine Youth Center (now the Colisee) in May 1965.

His address at the Lewiston Public Library’s Callahan Hall early Thursday evening drew out many memories for older attendees. Several had been in the arena that night and others — teenagers at the time — recalled watching people entering late to learn that the battle was over in about two minutes.

Sneddon described the incredible run-up to the second fight between the two in which rumors ran rampant. Suspicions of mob involvement followed attempts to hold the fight in Boston.

How did this world heavyweight championship fight wind up in Lewiston?

Sneddon explained the chain of events that led promoters to bring the event to Maine. He said news reports didn’t paint a very nice picture of Lewiston, but Sneddon emphasized that the debacle was in no way the fault of Lewiston or Maine. In fact, he said the local participation in arrangements was handled well.

Sneddon brought numerous local references into his talk. He described the effective efforts of Sam Michael, a fight and entertainment promoter who was Lewiston’s director of economic development at the time.

A number of bizarre circumstances were picked up by national news media, and Lewiston took some unfair hits in the reporting, Sneddon said.

He recalled the spectacle of Sonny Liston setting up training camp in the once-elegant Poland Spring House. He remarked on the never-to-be-forgotten version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by singer Robert Goulet, who also had Lewiston connections. Goulet’s mangled lyrics to the national anthem might have come about after some good-natured kidding by the wife of the Poland Spring complex owner. She was coaching Goulet with the words to “God Bless America.”

Sneddon also told a story about famed sportscaster Howard Cosell, who asked if there were any good restaurants in Lewiston. Someone recommended Steckino’s, a longtime favorite in the Twin Cities. Being used to exclusive eateries all over the world, Cosell asked, “Who can get me into this Steckino’s?”

Questions and comments from the audience kept the presentation going for well over an hour.

Sneddon is a contributing editor at Down East magazine and a sports historian. He said much of his research for “The Phantom Punch” was done at Lewiston Public Library.

In addition to the four major sports, he has written about everything from candlepin bowling to the Daytona 500. He has ridden across America on a bicycle and has flown around the world on a record-setting flight aboard the Concorde. He lives with his wife and son in New Hampshire.