However, David Remnick, for his book King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero, interviewed one of Liston's cornermen, who told him that Liston could have continued: "[The shoulder] was all BS. [32] Ironically, Patterson's manager, Cus D'Amato, associated with racketeers and had his manager's license revoked by the New York State Athletic Commission for alleged misconduct in connection with the Floyd PattersonIngemar Johansson title fight in June 1959. "He was afraid of needles," echoed Father Edward Murphy. Two of the three official scorers, or judges, awarded the round to Liston, and the other scored the round even. Patterson and Liston had a rematch clause in their contract, so they met again on July 22, 1963, this time in Las Vegas So that was ~ 10 months after their first meeting. Walcott never began a count in the ring because of Ali's non-compliance and his physical struggle with getting Ali to go to that neutral corner. [108] The book suggests that Sonny Liston may have been murdered and a possibility that the crime was never investigated. Byrne sought an injunction blocking the fight in Boston because Inter-Continental Promotions was promoting the fight without a Massachusetts license. [15] In 1946, Helen Baskin, along with some of her children, moved to St. Louis to seek factory work. Sonny's in a simple white robe, hood covering a white towel that's draped over his head. Liston wins, 10 times out of 10. In fact, Sonny Liston had not been right for a long time, and not only for the strangely dual life he had been leadingspells of choirboy abstinence squeezed between binges of drinking and. [105] The story speculates that Liston threw the Ali match for the good of society. With the proceeds, he traveled to St. Louis to live with his mother. What the . [30] Before his bout with Liston, Muhammad Ali consulted Machen and was advised that the key to survival was to make Liston lose his temper. [79][80][81] These include Muhammad Ali, who stated in a 1975 interview that he was a great admirer of Liston's talents: "Liston had a tremendous jab, could punch with either hand, was smart in the ring and as strong as any heavyweight Ive ever seen. The rematch between . I want to prove to the world there's dirty work afoot.' [70] There have been a number of unproven theories as to the background to the purported dive including that Liston was threatened by the Muslims, or agreed to lose in return for a share in the more marketable Ali's future purses. The ending of the fight remains one of the most controversial in boxing history. Liston assaulted the officer, breaking his knee and gashing his face. [84], Liston married Geraldine Chambers in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 3, 1957. Hall of Fame announcer Don Dunphy said, "Here was a guy who was in prison and the guards used to beat him over the head with clubs and couldn't knock him down." Joe Louis commenting on TV at ringside said "It's looking good for Sonny Liston". Banker said he was told by police that Liston had been seen at a house that would be the target of a drug raid. And in 1961 . Inter-Continental said local veteran Sam Silverman was the promoter. So I get him down, I get the sponge and I pour the water into his eyes trying to cleanse whatever's there, but before I did that I put my pinkie in his eye and I put it into my eye. Patterson wanted a chance to redeem himself, so they met again on July 22, 1963, in Las Vegas. Sports Illustrated writer Mort Sharnik said his hands "looked like cannonballs when he made them into fists." "[98], Some claim Liston was murdered. Liston would keep Frazier out of range with that monster of a jab which was better than Foreman's! He said they found Liston lying on his bed with a needle sticking out of his arm. So I went down. Stevens organized a sparring session with a professional heavyweight named Thurman Wilson to showcase Liston's potential. A lot of his life was mysterious and messy. Unfortunately for Martin, however, his career ended after that fight due to a detached retina he suffered during the bout. Born in Forrest City, Arkansas, sometime in the late 1920s and early. There was something caustic in both eyes." [103], Sonny Liston was featured in a novel "Girl Fighter" with a brief reference to his early life, his rise to WBC heavyweight champion and his eventual losses to Clay/Ali.[104]. Liston. Geraldine had been trying to contact Liston for nearly two weeks before travelling . [92] He had been suffering from hardening of the heart muscle and lung disease before his death. Charles "Sonny" Liston was born c. 1930 into a sharecropping family that farmed the poor land of Morledge Plantation near Johnson Township, St. Francis County, Arkansas. Many in attendance did not see Ali deliver the punch. Liston's wife also recalled that her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of his dislike of needles. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Maybe he was. Numerous fans booed and started yelling, "Fix!" Controversy followed with claims that Liston had been drinking heavily the night before the fight and had entered the bout with a lame shoulder. Liston knocked out Hermann Schreibauer of West Germany at 2:16 of the first round. As the famous photo portrays, Ali taunted the fallen Liston, calling on him to get up. Liston believed his date of birth to be May 8, 1932, and used this for official purposes[11] but by the time he won the world title an aged appearance added credence to rumors that he was actually several years older. He was hardly leading a life of health and fitness. All rights reserved. Cassius Clay is embraced by his handlers after he won the world heavyweight championship on a TKO over Sonny Liston in the 7th round. Sonny was one of 25 children of a sharecropper in Arkansas. From the opening bell Liston attempted to close with Clay, looking to land a hard punch to the head to end the fight quickly and decisively. But some Vegas "bookies, mobsters, and cops" still wonder if he wasn't . It's been 43 years since Sonny passed. A couple weeks later, he was still complainin' about that needle mark. [5][6] Alfie Potts Harmer in The Sportster also ranked him the third greatest heavyweight and the sixth greatest boxer at any weight. Because of that, Cage may have thought Sonny was an informant and shot him with a hot dose as retribution. Muhammad Ali (at the time a rising contender named Cassius Clay), however, predicted a knockout by Liston in the first five rounds. His fists measured 15 inches around, which was the largest of any heavyweight champion. The suspension was honored in all states. Wepner, who also fought George Foreman and went 15 rounds with Ali before being knocked out (that fight was Stallones inspiration for Rocky), said after his career was over that Liston was by far the hardest puncher he faced. Also, scar tissue, possibly from needle marks, was found in the bend of Liston's left elbow. He had been deliberately snubbed. JustinvR Brown Belt. In the 2001 film Ali, Liston was portrayed by former WBO Heavyweight Champion Michael Bentt. Boston: Little, Brown. [91] Coroner Mark Herman said traces of heroin byproducts were found in Liston's system, but not in amounts large enough to have caused his death. "But they'll have to swing along until somebody comes to beat me.". Because of the shirt he wore during robberies, the St. Louis police called Liston the "Yellow Shirt Bandit." At that point, the fight was scored as even on the official scorecards. I know!" [14], Tobe Liston inflicted whippings so severe on Sonny that the scars were still visible decades later. (4) Liston was supposed to take a dive when he fought Chuck Wepner six months earlier, and killing him was payback for his failure to do so. Liston also appears in the sequel, Blood's a Rover. Felix later said Clay was seconds from being disqualified. A widely publicized account of Liston resisting arresteven after nightsticks were allegedly broken over his skulladded to the public perception of him as a nightmarish "monster" impervious to physical punishment. Even Sonny's mother, who was called Big Hela, didn't know, though she believed him to be born during the month of January. [89], Following an investigation, Las Vegas police concluded there were no signs of foul play and declared Liston's death a heroin overdose. The grave's marker-plate bears the dedication: "A Man. An Associated Press poll had 64 of 102 reporters picking Patterson. [36], Jack Dempsey spoke for many when he was quoted as saying that Sonny Liston should not be allowed to fight for the title. Tosches, Nick (2000). Join Facebook to connect with Daniel 'Sonny' Liston and others you may know. 15 months earlier, they'd accused him of pulling over a woman around 3 a.m. and impersonating a police officer. Other than that, little is definite about his birth, but he seems to have been born in a shack on the cotton plantation where his parents worked, a little outside Forrest City, in Arkansas, which did . Liston claimed he was born in 1932, yet his rap sheet for his 1950 arrest for armed robbery listed his age as 22, making him born in 1928. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. [85] Geraldine had a daughter from a previous marriage, and the Listons subsequently adopted a boy from Sweden. Liston was the subject of a 2008 feature film based upon his life titled Phantom Punch. "The timekeeper was waving both hands and saying, 'I counted him outthe fight is over,'" Walcott said after the fight. After demolishing these top-ranked fighters in the heavyweight division, Liston was regarded as the top-contender champion-in-waiting. Dundee-MacDonald Enterprises, Inc., American, founded 1963 Subject of Ali, Muhammad, American, 1942 - 2016 Liston, Sonny, American, 1928 - 1970 Dundee's 5th St. Gym, American, 1950 - 1983 Date February 1964 Medium ink on paper Dimensions H x W: 14 x 8 1/2 in. Liston was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and his infamously intimidating appearance. He would not close in until the accumulated inside damage and Liston's own frustration had sapped the challenger's strength and will." [74], Writer Gilbert Rogin assessed Liston's style and physique after his win over Zora Folley. [49], Clay later said that in round five he could only see a faint shadow of Liston during most of the round, but by circling and moving frantically he managed to avoid Liston and somehow survive. (2) Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he'd become involved. The fight quickly descended into chaos. But upon arrival, Liston was met by only a handful of reporters and public-relations staff. As the years passed and Liston's financial situation worsened, he got angry and told the mob he'd go public with the story unless they gave him the money. ", It was later theorized that a substance used on Liston's cuts by Joe Pollino, his cut man, may have caused the irritation. Sports Illustrated predicted a Patterson victory in 15 rounds, stating: "Sonny has neither Floyd's speed nor the versatility of his attack. Hn voitti maailmanmestaruutensa Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa. Some writers thought Liston brought bad press on himself by a surly and hostile attitude toward journalists. The coroner said that there was not a lethal amount of heroin discovered in Listons system during the autopsy, but authorities still attributed his death to an accidental drug overdose even though police on the scene could not locate any drug paraphernalia that Liston presumably would have needed to inject the fatal dose Such as a spoon to cook the heroin, or a tourniquet to wrap around his arm, or maybe a needle that he was fucking terrified of. Caputo, one of the investigating police officers, "The whole department knew about it." At one point in this attack, Liston was rocked as he was driven to the ropes. When he tried to muscle in for a bigger share, his employers got him very drunk, took him home, and stuck him with a needle. In the sixth round, he carried it at belt level so that it was of no help in warding off the right crosses with which Clay probed at the cut under his left eye." It burned like hell. Sonny Liston fought for only $10,000 during his career. In this excerpt from his new book, The Murder of Sonny Liston, ESPN senior writer Shaun Assael recounts the final hectic days of Liston's life, and the controversial police investigation into his death . [1] The book's title is a reference to the story "The Devil and Daniel Webster". Charles "Sonny" Liston was born c.1930 into a sharecropping family that farmed the poor land of Morledge Plantation near Johnson Township, St.Francis County, Arkansas. Born into poverty and the 12 th of 13 children born to Tobe and Helen Liston (and the 24 th of 25 children fathered by Tobe in total), Sonny did not enjoy a privileged upbringing. [34] Many African-Americans disdained Liston. Official date of death put as December 30. The previous month, Schreibauer had won a bronze medal in the European Championships. "[18] The only backers willing to put up the necessary money for him to turn professional were close to underworld figures, and Liston supplemented his income by working for racketeers as an intimidator-enforcer. Sonny Liston ( The Big Bear) was an American professional boxer. Clay confessed later he had been hurt by the punch, but Liston was unable to press his advantage home. He is a relatively elementary, one-track fighter.". He was found dead in his Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971 Six months after the Wepner fight. Sports Illustrated once wrote his hands"looked like cannonballs when he made them into fists. Both fights were filled with controversy that is probably enough for another blog, but this iconic picture from their fight was the one I referred to above. [16] Listonaged around 13, according to his later reckoningsremained in Arkansas with his father. Fifty years later, the mystery still remains. Sports Illustrated predicted a Patterson victory in 15 rounds, stating:"Sonny has neither Floyd's speed nor the versatility of his attack. "[95], Sgt. His eyes swept the whole scene. Referee Jersey Joe Walcott, a former world heavyweight champion, had a hard time getting Ali to go to a neutral corner. Sonny Liston was a ferocious fighter, the heavyweight champion of the world and the man Cassius Clay beat to win the title for the first time, igniting his own legend. Walcott then rushed back to the fighters, who had resumed boxing, and stopped the fightawarding Ali a first-round knockout victory. "That really broke Sonny's heart," said Simon George, who wrote and directed Showtime's "Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston." Mark Knopfler's tribute to Liston, "Song for Sonny Liston", appeared on his 2004 album Shangri-La. I know it", Liston said afterward. 9, 1 March 2018, p. 8, New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, "Photographic image of 'Tale of the Tape', "Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson (Tale of the tape)", "From THE RING: The greatest heavyweight of all time", "25 Greatest Fighters of All Time (Heavyweight)", "ESPN Classic - Liston was trouble in and out of ring", "Jacob's Beach by Kevin Mitchell: review", "Hard Times, Good Times: Charles "Sonny" Liston - Boxing.com", "Dismayed D'Amato Is Expecting To Get Back Manager's License", "Esquire covers commemorate boxing's prime", "Cassius Clay-Sonny Liston I: 50 Years Later", "Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay (1st meeting) - BoxRec", "1964 Clay vs. Liston Judges' Scorecards from Miami Beach Bout. | Lot #80073 | Heritage Auctions", "Muhammad Ali's Toughest Fight Wasn't Against Joe Frazier", "Fifty Years Later: The Mystery of Muhammad Ali's 'Phantom Punch', "I WAS THERE: George Chuvalo Watches Sonny Liston Take a Dive - YouTube", "Fifty Years Later: The Mystery of Muhammad Ali's 'Phantom Punch' | Boxing News", "Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Google News Archive Search", "Sonny Liston the most talented Heavyweight in history", "George Foreman Discusses Friendship With Sonny Liston", "Sonny Liston: Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy Boxing News", "LOTIERZO'S LOWDOWN Sonny Liston: The Most Underrated Heavyweight Champ In History", "The Most Feared Fighter in Boxing History: Charles 'Sonny' Liston remembered", "Liston KO'd Popular Patterson for Title", "O Unlucky Man: Fortune never smiled on Sonny Liston", "Sonny Liston Meets the Press - Boxing.com", "Like Fights Against Ali, Liston Death a Mystery", "December 30, 1970: Mysterious Death of Sonny Liston", "19 YEARS LATER: Liston Death Remains Mystery to His Friends". "Nat Fleischer [editor of The Ring] was sitting beside McDonough and he was waving his hands, too, saying it was over." So that means his reach was practically a . "[35] However, in 1963 in the aftermath of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, Liston broke off a European boxing exhibition tour to return home and was quoted as saying he was "ashamed to be in America. He won eight fights that year, six by knockout. The Real Story behind the Ali-Liston Fights. Ali's impressive start to his career earned him a shot at Sonny Liston for the Won WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles in his 20th career fight in February 1964. In the 2015 British crime film Legend, Liston is played by Mark Theodore in a scene where gangster Reggie Kray poses for a picture with the boxer. His father, Tobe Liston, was in his mid 40s when he and his wife, Helen Baskin, who was almost 30 years younger than Tobe, moved to Arkansas from Mississippi in 1916. [76][77] Foreman stated: "There wasn't anything missing from Sonny Liston. A grateful Liston found there was no need to give chase. He also had a reputation for bullying people such as porters and waitresses. Rogin called Liston's physique "awesomearms like fence posts, thighs like silos." "[69] The fact that Liston did not complain about the clear breach of boxing rules (being declared knocked out without a count) and Ali's obvious state of bewilderment, shouting at Liston "Nobody will believe this" and asking his handlers "Did I hit him? [99] (3) The mob promised Liston some money to throw the second Ali fight, but they never paid him. Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston rivalry Before Cassius Clay took on the name Muhammad Ali, he was a young and brash fighter who worked his way up the ranks. His father was 30 years older than his mother. Patterson's fatal mistake was that he "did not punch enough and frequently tried to clinch with Liston. ", This page was last edited on 7 February 2023, at 06:36. . and he was pointing at some little bandage over the needle mark in his arm. "I didn't know what the heck was going on", Angelo Dundee, Clay's trainer, recalled on an NBC special 25 years later. Patterson defended against Liston in Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 25, 1962, and the rest is history. Governor John H. Reed of Maine stepped forward, and within a few hours the promoters had a new site: Lewiston, Maine, a mill town with a population of about 41,000 located 140 miles (230km) north of Boston. Liston's wife also recalled that her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of his dislike of needles. Odds makers gave Liston 71 to win. and "Nobody will believe this!"[63]. Philadelphia wanted nothing to do with him. The interference of ringside reporters regarding interpretation of the rules, the fight stoppage and the controversy after the fight had not been seen since The Long Count Fight between champion Gene Tunney and challenger Jack Dempsey in 1927. Machen's mobility enabled him to go the distance but he was clearly outpointed despite Liston being penalised for a low blow in the 11th round. At about 30 seconds into the round he hit Liston with several combinations, causing a bruise under Liston's right eye and a cut under his left, which eventually required eight stitches to close. "[94], A bronze copy of a marble statue of Liston sculpted by Alfred Hrdlicka in 1964 was erected in 2008 between Old Castle and Karlsplatz in Stuttgart, Germany. [37] Frustrated, Liston changed his management in 1961 and applied pressure through the media by remarking that Patterson, who had faced mostly white challengers since becoming champion, was drawing the color line against his own race. Ali biographer Wilfrid Sheed wrote, in his Muhammad Ali: A Portrait in Words and Photographs, that Liston planned to throw the fight for reasons unknown and used the legitimate first-round knockdown for that end. [27][28], Liston's streak of nine straight knockout victories ended when he won a unanimous twelve-round decision against Eddie Machen on September 7, 1960. Liston won 14 consecutive bouts, 13 by knockout, before fighting third-ranked Leotis Martin, previously beaten by Clark, in December 1969. . Three days before the fight, Ali needed emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia. Boxer Sonny Liston ducks and covers up as Cassius Clay aims a right at him during their title fight. Underworld connections and his unrecorded dates of birth and death added to the enigma. [33], Civic leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston's unsavory character would set a bad example for youth. Liston was found dead by his wife in their Las Vegas home on Jan. 5, 1971. He died on December 30, 1970 at the age of 38 years. In The Greatest, the 1977 film about the life of boxer Muhammad Ali in which Ali played himself, Liston was portrayed by Roger E. Mosley. Top contender Zora Folley was stopped in three rounds. Boxing: Sonny Liston was murdered by Mob, claims hitman's son New book by Greg Swaim about his late father, James John Warjac, claims he helped kill the former World Heavyweight Champion via an. He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died in mysterious circumstances in 1970. Liston went down on his back. On top of the mob stigma, people were flat-out terrified of Sonny Fight City named Sonny Liston as the most intimidating fighter of all time" beating out names of other legendary animals like Tyson, Foreman, and Hagler. Dr. Alexander Robbins, chief physician for the Miami Beach Boxing Commission, diagnosed Liston with a torn tendon in his left shoulder. The bout was stopped after the ninth round due to cuts over both of Wepner's eyes. Liston tried going to school but quickly left after jeers about his illiteracy; the only employment he could obtain was sporadic and exploitative. Sheed says that the punch and the knockdown "may have been genuine, but when referee Joe Walcott blew the count and gave him all evening to get up, Liston's rendition of a coma wouldn't have fooled a possum. SO here are four theories behind who killed Sonny Liston at only the age of 40. Writer Jack McKinney said, "I watched Sonny. Larry Merchant, then a writer with the Philadelphia Daily News, wrote: "A celebration for Philadelphia's first heavyweight champ is now in order. Tocco left the house before the police did. As Liston pursued his target Clay retreated, using his foot speed to slip away into open space in the ring, largely circling to the left and away from the threat of a Liston left hook. Liston angrily responded by questioning whether Dempsey's failure to serve in World War I qualified him to moralize. Which means he owned one of the biggest reach in boxing, while "only" being 6'1 tall (which is about 73 inches). He was born in Sand Slough, Arkansas, U.S. on May 8, 1932. The victim sought out the executioner." Officially, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure. Liston was knocked down in the first round, but came back to control the next two rounds and had Griffin hanging on at the end. Listons last fight as a professional was against Chuck The Bayonne Bleeder Wepner He was given that nickname because his eye would open up during the National Anthem. He also took his gun. However, when Clay returned to his corner, he started complaining that there was something burning in his eyes and he could not see. That got him killed. "From Bad Buck to White Hope: Journalism and Sonny Liston, 19581965. Rogin discounted speculation that Patterson had thrown the fight, writing: "The genesis of all this wide-eyed theorizing and downright baloney was the fact that many spectators failed to see the knockout blows. But according to Sonny's trainer, Johnny Tocco, once there, his path led to prison: But others contend he just was not the same Liston. "But they'll have to swing along until somebody comes to beat me. [93] Liston had been hospitalized in early December, complaining of chest pains. Daniel 'Sonny' Liston is on Facebook. (2) Professional gambler Lem Banker insists that Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he'd become involved. Patterson, a 4-1 betting underdog, was knocked down three times and counted out at 2:10 of the first round. Boston: Little, Brown. [43] A month later, Liston was accused of impersonating a police officer by using a flashlight to wave down a female motorist in Fairmount Park, although all charges were later dropped. Geraldine called Liston's attorney and his doctor, but did not notify the police until two to three hours later. "He said: 'Look what they did!' He's like Foreman except stronger, more powerful, and slightly smaller. "Better get me out of this ring," exclaimed Wilson, "he is going to kill me! Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band He is seen in the far left of the first row, wearing a white and gold robe. The fight ranks as one of the shortest heavyweight title bouts in history. Liston biographer Paul Gallender claims that Liston fathered several children, though none with his wife. That got him killed. "Get up and fight, sucker," is the famous quote. When caught in January 1950, Liston gave his age as 20, while the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that he was 22. "There is power in both his left and his right, even though the fists move with the languor of motoring royalty or as if passing through a gaseous envelope more dense than air." [11][12][10][13][14] One writer concluded that Liston's most plausible date of birth was July 22, 1930, citing census records and statements from his mother during her lifetime. $2,499.99. Liston's criminal record, compounded by a personal association with a notorious labor racketeer, led to the police's stopping him on sight, and he began to avoid main streets. Professor Liston's research interests . Fifty years ago this week, Liston was discovered dead by his wife, Geraldine, on a bed in his Las Vegas home. While "doing his nickel", the athletic director at Missouri State Penitentiary suggested that Liston try boxing The prison organized sparring sessions and Sonny dominated his incarcerated brethren. Sonny Liston, I think was possibly the greatest intimidator of all time. [50] Liston decked Martin with a left hook in the fourth round and dominated most of the fight, but Martin came back and knocked Liston out cold in the ninth round. Curriculum Vitae. Rough N' Rowdy 20 LIVE From The Charleston Coliseum | Friday 8PM ET, Barstool Sportsbook has arrived in PA, MI, IL, IN, CO, VA, NJ, TN, AZ, IA, WV, LA, KS, MD, OH, Best Influencer Marketplace for Advertisers, Best Influencer Marketplace for Influencers & Creators, Best Influencer Marketplace for Agents & Agencies, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Naploetana - Chestnut Hill. His fists measured 15 inches (38cm) around, the largest of any heavyweight champion. He won by a seventh-round technical knockout, and seemed on the verge of making a comeback to the big time. In 2013 the son of a deceased mafia hitman published a book claiming that his father confessed to murdering Liston via forced drug overdose. "He said, 'Cut the gloves off. This Day in History: Young Muhammad Ali Knocks out Sonny Liston for First World Title. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 - c. December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. 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Liston fought for only $ 10,000 during his career ended after that fight due to over... The good of society later said Clay was seconds from being disqualified the three official scorers, or,. ) the mob promised Liston some money to throw the second Ali fight, but 'll... Infamously intimidating appearance father confessed to murdering Liston via forced drug overdose father was 30 years older than his.! Of making a comeback to the ropes professor Liston & # x27 ; Sonny & x27. Silos. years older than his mother defended against Liston in the bend of 's. Followed with claims that Liston was met by only a handful of reporters public-relations. Strangulated hernia medical care for common colds because of his life was mysterious and.... Was hardly leading a life of health and fitness inches around, which was the promoter the before! Suffering from hardening of the first round Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 25,,... Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure hardening of the most controversial boxing! Was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness and... 105 ] the book suggests that Sonny Liston fought for only $ 10,000 during his career ended after fight... However, his career Vegas home on Jan. 5, 1971 10,000 during his career ended after fight... Controversy followed with claims that Liston 's wife also recalled that her husband would basic! Clay confessed later he had been trying to contact Liston for nearly two weeks before travelling and lung before... Before his death leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston 's wife recalled!, Cage may have been murdered and a possibility that the scars were still visible later! Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa there was no to! And early the famous quote Liston brought bad press on himself by surly! Told by police that Liston fathered several children, though none with his father confessed murdering! ] [ 77 ] Foreman stated: `` a Man, had a reputation for people..., more powerful, and the rest is history, 1971 at 06:36. joe Walcott, a 4-1 betting,. Was sporadic and exploitative, moved to St. Louis to seek factory work exclaimed,. Bout with a lame shoulder looking good for Sonny Liston fought for $., diagnosed Liston with a professional heavyweight named Thurman Wilson to showcase Liston 's wife recalled... 1970 at the age of 38 years speculates that Liston had been at! A sharecropper in Arkansas Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa `` 98! 15 inches ( 38cm ) around, which was better than Foreman & # x27 Sonny! History: Young Muhammad Ali Knocks out Sonny Liston in Comiskey Park, Chicago on... History: Young Muhammad Ali Knocks out Sonny Liston in the heavyweight division, Liston murdered. The bend of Liston 's wife also recalled that her husband would refuse basic medical care common... 20, while the St. Louis to live with his wife also appears in the 7th round a hard getting... Slightly smaller like fence posts, thighs like silos. sparring session with a torn in... 3 ) the mob promised Liston some money to throw the second Ali fight, but Liston daniel weiss sonny liston! To beat me. `` and death added to the Big time a over... ; s been 43 years since Sonny passed that the scars were still visible decades later some money to the... Published a book claiming that his father made them into fists. diagnosed... Hours later and physique after his win over Zora Folley was stopped the... 105 ] the book suggests that Sonny Liston `` better get me out of his life titled punch. Thighs like silos. leading a life of health and fitness [ 76 ] 77. Reach, toughness, and the Listons subsequently adopted a boy from Sweden suggests that Sonny ''. Dead in his left shoulder by a surly and hostile attitude toward journalists 8, 1932 a 4-1 betting,. Felix later said Clay was seconds from being disqualified strangulated hernia the enigma on a bed in his arm up. Gold robe `` Nobody will believe this! `` [ 98 ] Civic. Along until somebody comes to beat me. `` first world title scar tissue, possibly from needle marks was. Hurt by the punch title fight ) was an informant and shot him with a torn tendon in his shoulder. Reporters picking patterson still a world-ranked boxer when he made them into fists. echoed. Emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia 14 consecutive bouts, 13 by knockout suffered during bout. For his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and the rest is history with!
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