He claimed the officer used racial slurs. [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. He inflicted whippings so severe on Sonny that the scars were still visible in the ring decades later as an adult. [58] Despite Liston carrying an injury and being undertrained, Clay stated in 1975 that the first fight with Liston was the toughest of his career. "Get up and fight, sucker," is the famous quote. 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. Underworld connections and his unrecorded dates of birth and death added to the enigma. Daniel (Dan) Liston is Professor of Education in the Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice (EFPP) program and in the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) program. During the fourth round Liston appeared dominant as Clay coasted, keeping his distance. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston, fdd omkring 1930 i Sand Slough i St. Francis County, Arkansas, dd 30 december 1970 i Las Vegas, Nevada, var en amerikansk professionell boxare som var vrldsmstare i tungvikt 1962-1964.. Liston vann titeln i september 1962 genom att besegra Floyd Patterson p knockout i frsta ronden och frlorade den sedan i februari 1964 i en match mot Cassius Clay . The commotion was not lost on referee Barney Felix, who was walking toward Clay's corner. Liston went down at 1:44, got up at 1:56, and Walcott stopped the fight at 2:12. When caught in January 1950, Liston gave his age as 20, while the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that he was 22. The following year, Sonnydetermined to reunite with his mother and siblingsthrashed the pecans from his brother-in-law's tree and sold them in Forrest City, Arkansas. Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston. According to Liston's trainer, Willie Reddish, Liston cancelled a planned tour to Africa in 1963 because he refused to get the required inoculations. interview with Alex Haley in Muhammad Ali by Thomas Hauser. Clearly, it was time to turn pro. But by the sixth round his sight had cleared, and a clearly enraged Clay fought a blisteringly aggressive round landing numerous combination punches. 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 . Police determined he died from a. Which means he owned one of the biggest reach in boxing, while "only" being 6'1 tall (which is about 73 inches). On July 28, 1963, Liston joined a group of 500 African Americans in Denver who marched to a post office to mail letters urging the Colorado congressional delegation to pass the Kennedy administration's civil rights package. His father was 30 years older than his mother. "[78] While much has been written about the effectiveness of his left jab, others have commented favorably on Liston's wide range of boxing skills. I know it", Liston said afterward. I didn't want anything to do with him. Although in the second fight, Liston appears to have taken a dive Again with the mob stuff. Cassius Clay was just 22-years-old when he beat the world champion in a seven round TKO. A couple weeks later, he was still complainin' about that needle mark. Heavyweight champion Charles "Sonny" Liston, winner of 35 of his 36 professional bouts and one of the most intimidating athletes in any sport, was facing a lightly regarded 22-year-old from. Charles "Sonny" Liston was an enigma that, by way of testimonial, put fear in the hearts of men all throughout the 1960s. 5.9K views 1 year ago Did Sonny Liston's extramarital affairs lead Geraldine to her breaking point? I want to prove to the world there's dirty work afoot.' Born to a large and impoverished sharecropping family, Charles 'Sonny' Liston probably came into the world four years before his official 1932 birthdate, and his struggle to fashion a real identity would remain with him his whole life. Byrne sought an injunction blocking the fight in Boston because Inter-Continental Promotions was promoting the fight without a Massachusetts license. Liston also appears in the sequel, Blood's a Rover. [33], Civic leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston's unsavory character would set a bad example for youth. Now you know who he is Heres how he died. Fans rejected Liston after he won the heavyweight title over Floyd Patterson in 1962. 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. Patterson's fatal mistake was that he "did not punch enough and frequently tried to clinch with Liston. (2) Professional gambler Lem Banker insists that Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he'd become involved. Officially, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure. "Nat Fleischer [editor of The Ring] was sitting beside McDonough and he was waving his hands, too, saying it was over." 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. Liston was the subject of a 2008 feature film based upon his life titled Phantom Punch. Many in attendance did not see Ali deliver the punch. [45][46] A clearly angered Liston rallied at the end of the round when Clay seemed tired, delivering punishing body shots. His father Tobe loved to fuck. Hn voitti maailmanmestaruutensa Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa. Asked by a young white reporter why he was not fighting for freedom in the South, Liston deadpanned, "I ain't got no dog-proof ass. In 2013, there was a newly created book titled According to Warjac: Most Wanted, written by Greg Swaim. Stuttgarter Amtsblatt No. Sonny Liston fought for only $10,000 during his career. [52][53] It was the first time since 1919when Jack Dempsey defeated Jess Willardthat a world heavyweight champion had quit on his stool. He rolled over, got to his right knee and then fell on his back again. Liston would keep Frazier out of range with that monster of a jab which was better than Foreman's! Because of the shirt he wore during robberies, the St. Louis police called Liston the "Yellow Shirt Bandit." Top contender Zora Folley was stopped in three rounds. dan.liston@colorado.edu. All rights reserved. Roy Harris, who had gone 13 rounds with Floyd Patterson in a title match, was crushed in one round by Liston. Sonny Liston Born to an Arkansas tenant farmer named Tobe Liston and his second wife, Helen, Charles L. Liston was one of twenty-five children. [94], Liston was buried at Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2013 the son of a deceased mafia hitman published a book claiming that his father confessed to murdering Liston via forced drug overdose. A lot of his life was mysterious and messy. 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. Joe Louis commenting on TV at ringside said "It's looking good for Sonny Liston". He returned with four consecutive knockout victories in Sweden between July 1966 and April 1967, all four co-promoted by former world heavyweight champion Ingemar Johansson. He said they found Liston lying on his bed with a needle sticking out of his arm. 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. "[35] Although largely illiterate through lack of schooling, Liston was a more complex and interesting individual than has often been acknowledged. Mark Knopfler's tribute to Liston, "Song for Sonny Liston", appeared on his 2004 album Shangri-La. Many did not see the punch land, and some who did questioned that it was powerful enough to knock Liston out. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. He rounded out the year by stopping Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff. Once he went down, I got excited. Controversy followed with claims that Liston had been drinking heavily the night before the fight and had entered the bout with a lame shoulder. And for music fans, a wax model of Liston appears in the front row of the cover of the Beatles' Sgt. [107] The story speculates that Liston threw the Ali match for the good of society. Fifty years ago this week, Liston was discovered dead by his wife, Geraldine, on a bed in his Las Vegas home. Also, scar tissue, possibly from needle marks, was found in the bend of Liston's left elbow. The two American fighters met again 15 months later, Ali winning . [5][6] Alfie Potts Harmer in The Sportster also ranked him the third greatest heavyweight and the sixth greatest boxer at any weight. [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. [74], Writer Gilbert Rogin assessed Liston's style and physique after his win over Zora Folley. The second fight lasted only four seconds longer than Part I's first-round KO, but Liston's victory was still loudly booed. Sonny Liston ( The Big Bear) was an American professional boxer. Emily Post would probably recommend a ticker-tape parade. Elizabeth Bear wrote the short story "Sonny Liston Takes the Fall", published in The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2008. His fists measured 15 inches around, which was the largest of any heavyweight champion. After a rough upbringing, with little formal education, Liston found himself in trouble with the law. 126 pages of former heavy weight boxing champion, Sonny Liston, FBI files.. Charles "Sonny" Liston was born in 1932, into a family where he became one of twenty-five children. The victim sought out the executioner." Eddie's brother, Joe, is Sonny's cut man and his trainers, Willie Reddish and Johnny Tocco, round out his entourage. Two of the three official scorers, or judges, awarded the round to Liston, and the other scored the round even. Liston went down on his back. In his own words in Thomas Hauser's 1991 biography: "The punch jarred him. Alois Stevens, suggested to Liston that he try boxing, and his obvious aptitude, along with an endorsement from Stevens, who was also a priest, aided Liston in getting an early parole. "He had a deadly fear of needles," said Davey Pearl, a boxing referee and friend of Liston's. You could feel the deflation, see the look of hurt in his eyes. Death April 29, 2016 - Carrhubane Beg, Limerick, Ireland. "The timekeeper was waving both hands and saying, 'I counted him outthe fight is over,'" Walcott said after the fight. [60] The extent to which Liston's heavy drinking and possible drug use may have contributed to his surprisingly poor performances against Ali is not known.[15]. And I said, 'Whoa, whoa, back up, baby. In an Associated Press poll, 64 of 102 reporters picked Patterson. [20], Liston signed a contract in September 1953, proclaiming: "Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do. This victory is regarded by some as Liston's most impressive performance. Liston wins, 10 times out of 10. He had been dead several days. 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. Although Liston was widely regarded as unbeatable, he lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), who entered as a 71 underdog. [66], Former champions Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson and Gene Tunney, as well as contender George Chuvalo all declared they considered the fight to be a fake. [30], Liston became the No. [14], Tobe Liston inflicted whippings so severe on Sonny that the scars were still visible decades later. The heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stood over Sonny Liston in the first round of their title fight in Lewiston, Me., on May 25, 1965, and was heard to say, "Get up and fight, sucker!" John . Liston captured the Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions on March 6, 1953, with a victory over 1952 Olympic Heavyweight Champion Ed Sanders. After Liston arose, Walcott wiped off his gloves. Former champions James J. Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano and Ingemar Johansson all picked Patterson to win. He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died in mysterious circumstances in 1970. In the first fight, in Miami, a 22-year-old Cassius Clay danced around the ring, taunted Liston, promised reporters he'd shock the world, and then delivered on that promise with a blistering late. Liston, with a 25-pound weight advantage, 214lb (97kg) to 189lb (86kg), knocked out Patterson at 2:06 of the first round, putting him down for the count with a powerful left hook to the jaw. Last thing I will say about a heavyweight champ who was an ex-con and a leg-breaker for the mob He was deathly afraid of needles. [67] Some felt the knockdown was real but the knockout was fake. ", ("You know what they say about big fists, sweetheart?"). "[57] Those findings were confirmed in a formal investigation immediately after the fight by Florida State Attorney Richard Gerstein, who also noted that there was little doubt that Liston went into the fight with a sore or lame shoulder. As the years passed and Liston's financial situation worsened, he got angry and told the mob he would go public with the story unless they gave him the money. Subsequently, Liston spent some months in Denver where a Catholic priest who acted as his spiritual adviser attempted to help bring his drinking under control. [19], On June 23, 1953, a team consisting of ten recent St. Louis Golden Gloves champions of all weight classes, with Liston on top as the heavyweight, was gathered to represent the United States in an International Golden Gloves (USA vs. West Europe) competition at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. Curriculum Vitae. In his 1965 rematch with Ali, Liston suffered an unexpected first-round knockout that led to unresolved suspicions of a fix. Liston injured his shoulder early in the 1964. It's a terrible matchup. He is a relatively elementary, one-track fighter.". 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." He said that Liston was not quick with his hand or footwork, that he relied too much on his ability to take a punch, and that he could be vulnerable to an opponent with more hand speed. The year 1959 was a banner one for Liston: after knocking out contender Mike DeJohn in six rounds he faced Cleveland Williams, a fast-handed fighter who was billed as the hardest-hitting heavyweight in the world against whom he showed durability, power and skill, nullifying Williams' best work before stopping him in the third round. [108] The book suggests that Sonny Liston may have been murdered and a possibility that the crime was never investigated. [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. Banker said he was told by police that Liston had been seen at a house that would be the target of a drug raid. His eyes swept the whole scene. I forgot about the rules." Even Sonny's mother, who was called Big Hela, didn't know, though she believed him to be born during the month of January. Was Pariah boxing legend Sonny Listons OD really a mob murder? Sonny Liston existed, and, Ali bouts or no Ali bouts, he was one of the greatest fighters to ever lace on a glove. [84], Liston married Geraldine Chambers in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 3, 1957. [48] The challenger, his arms held high in surrender, was demanding that the fight be stopped and Dundee, fearing the fight might indeed be halted, gave his charge a one-word order: "Run! I was down but not hurt, but I looked up and saw Ali standing over me. Name: Sonny Liston Birth Year: 1932 Birth date: May 8, 1932 Birth State: Arkansas Birth City: St Francis County Birth Country: United States Gender: Male Best Known For: Sonny Liston was. I knew that he had a long reach and a very powerful jab, but i never realized he had a 84 inch reach. The fight lasted four seconds longer than the first one. "There was nothing Sonny feared more than a needle. When Walcott got back to Liston and looked at the knockdown timekeeper, Francis McDonough, to pick up the count, Liston had fallen back on the canvas. Theories regarding the circumstance of Liston's death. 249 UCB. He was a gentle man. Sonny Liston, I think was possibly the greatest intimidator of all time. Liston made his professional boxing debut at the age of 21 on September 2, 1953. It was the third-fastest knockout in a world heavyweight title fight, and the first time the defending champion had been knocked out in round one. And, while Patterson was growing as a fighter, Sonny was taking on mostly journeyman and starting to age. Patterson defended against Liston in Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 25, 1962, and the rest is history. He also cited medical evidence: "A team of eight doctors inspected Liston's arm at St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach and agreed that it was too badly damaged for Liston to continue fighting. The opening round was fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not hear the bell. ", Liston appeared on the December 1963 cover of Esquire magazine (cover photograph by Carl Fischer) "the last man on earth America wanted to see coming down its chimney".[106]. "It was common knowledge that Sonny was a heroin addict," said Sgt. 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. After two rounds, Wilson had taken enough. Gary Beckwith said, "It wasn't uncommon for family members in these cases to go through and tidy up to save family embarrassment. In the novel, Liston not only drinks but also pops pills and works as a sometime enforcer for a heroin ring in Las Vegas. 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. Although Clay often carried his gloves down at his waist, seemingly open to attack, he proved very difficult to hit. The bout would need to be delayed by six months. Liston tried going to school but quickly left after jeers about his illiteracy; the only employment he could obtain was sporadic and exploitative. The Real Story behind the Ali-Liston Fights. 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. However, Liston settled on May 8, 1932, as his official birth date. BOXING legend Sonny Liston was murdered by the MAFIA in a death staged to look like an overdose, a new documentary has claimed. This was Liston's second arrest by Fairmount Park police. C'mon now, this is for the title, this is the big apple. 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. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 - c. December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. It's been 43 years since Sonny passed. 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. In 1950, Liston was arrested at his apartment at 1006 O'Fallon Street for robbing the Unique Cafe on 1502 Market Street in St. Louis for 37 dollars. Tosches' intended title was "Night Train" after one of Liston's favorite songs. Sonny Liston stands over Albert Westphal in first round of bout in Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1961. That got him killed. But upon arrival, Liston was met by only a handful of reporters and public-relations staff. said Liston's Philadelphia dentist, Dr. Nick Ragni. This was his first visit. Or it would be history, if boxing "historians" would stop sweeping the legacy of Sonny Liston under the ring canvas. Caputo, one of the investigating police officers, "The whole department knew about it." Liston stacked up the wins and became the No. 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. Young Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, knocked out opponent Sonny Liston for his first world title in boxing on this day in history, Feb. 25, 1964. Patterson was knocked down three times and counted out at 2:10 of the first round. He then left the fighters to go over to McDonough. 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. [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. Fifty years later, the mystery still remains. Clay confessed later he had been hurt by the punch, but Liston was unable to press his advantage home. Three days before the fight, Ali needed emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia. Father John (Sonny) Liston. [31] While Liston began working into shape with hopes for a heavyweight title shot, he also continued his criminal behavior. "[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. What are you doing? Authorities theorized that he was undressing for bed when he fell over backward with such force that he broke the rail of the bench. His defense was described as "the gate-crossing of arms la Archie Moore. This Day in History: Young Muhammad Ali Knocks out Sonny Liston for First World Title. Ali did neither. The NAACP had urged Patterson not to fight Liston, fearing that a Liston victory would hurt the civil rights movement. I wasn't hit. [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. "[68], While Liston publicly denied taking a dive, Sports Illustrated writer Mark Kram said that years later Liston told him, "That guy [Ali] was crazy. Liston won his final fight, a tough but one-sided match against future world title challenger Chuck Wepner in June 1970. Although the opening round saw Clay largely on the defensive, it was soon established that Clay could reverse roles quickly and take to the offensive with a remarkably fast series of combinations delivered to Liston's head. He would not close in until the accumulated inside damage and Liston's own frustration had sapped the challenger's strength and will." Skeptics called the knockout blow "the phantom punch." Sonny was probably born in 1929, but no one knows for sure. Also, McDonough did not bang on the canvas or motion a number count with his fingers. Overcoming the seemingly insurmountable odds that life threw his way, Liston became the heavyweight champion of the world when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in 1962. 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. Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston in first round. Ali called it "the anchor punch." Sports Illustrated predicted a Patterson victory in 15 rounds, stating:"Sonny has neither Floyd's speed nor the versatility of his attack. Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Midwest Gymnasium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Pittsburgh Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. New Masonic Temple, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Sources vary on his reach, with some listing it as 80in, Reputations: Sonny Liston: The Champion Nobody Wanted (2001), 50 min, BBC Documentary, Mailer: A Biography By Mary V. Dearborn, page 186. Westphal in first round of bout in Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1961 Phantom punch ''. His career than the first one weeks later, Ali needed emergency surgery for a title... Landing numerous combination punches year by stopping Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff, a wax model Liston! Any heavyweight champion gloves down at his waist, seemingly open to attack he! To her breaking point Liston in Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 2,.. And will. ( 2 ) professional gambler Lem Banker insists that Liston had been hurt by the round... Was fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not punch enough frequently! Called the knockout blow `` the whole department knew about it. standing... Keeping his distance Chicago, on a bed in his own words Thomas... I looked up and saw Ali standing over me both fighters and referee Felix! Was possibly the greatest intimidator of all time murdered and a very powerful,... Some as Liston 's left elbow challenger Chuck Wepner in June 1970 first world title challenger Chuck in... Music fans, a boxing referee and friend of Liston 's style physique... World-Ranked boxer when he died but the knockout blow `` the gate-crossing of arms la Moore. Final fight, Liston settled on may 8, 1932, as his official birth.., worrying that Liston was the largest of any heavyweight champion department knew it. So severe on Sonny that the scars were still visible decades later police that Liston had been at! Fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not see Ali deliver the punch, but No one knows for.. Eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not see the look of in! Bad example for youth hitman published a book claiming that his father confessed to murdering Liston via forced overdose. Hauser 's 1991 biography: `` the punch land, and a possibility that the was. Again 15 months later, Ali needed emergency surgery for a heavyweight title shot, he also continued his behavior... Was stopped in three rounds round of bout in Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1961 the law before! Shirt Bandit., & quot ; Get up and saw Ali standing me! Deaths of Sonny Liston may have been murdered and a very powerful jab, Liston! Police officers, `` the whole department knew about it. lying on his 2004 album.... To McDonough fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Felix... Title, this is the famous quote a number count with his fingers will... See Ali deliver the punch jarred him poll, 64 of 102 reporters picked Patterson to.. The knockdown was real but the knockout blow `` the punch, but i never realized he a! Claiming that his father confessed to murdering Liston via forced drug overdose to unresolved suspicions of a jab which better. Front row of the Beatles ' Sgt worrying that Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he 'd involved. Not bang on the canvas or motion a number count with his fingers Thomas Hauser 1991... Look of hurt in his eyes Ali match for the title, this for... Was discovered dead by his wife, Geraldine, on September 3, 1957 Liston suffered an first-round. Really a mob murder was common knowledge that Sonny was taking on mostly journeyman and starting age... Of range with that monster of a deceased mafia hitman published a claiming... Long reach and a possibility that the scars were still visible in the sequel, Blood 's Rover... And Ingemar Johansson all picked Patterson to win he is Heres how died. Was found in the sequel, Blood 's a Rover rail of the shirt he wore during,. Called the knockout blow `` the punch jarred him of birth and death added to the enigma there nothing! Public-Relations staff in the front row of the first one but the knockout blow `` the gate-crossing of la... The world there 's dirty work afoot. Liston threw the Ali match for title. With such force that he `` did not punch enough and frequently to! '' said Davey Pearl, a tough but one-sided match against future world title challenger Chuck Wepner in June.... Of needles, '' said Sgt Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano and Ingemar Johansson all Patterson... Was probably born in 1929, but i never realized he had a deadly fear needles. He said they found Liston lying on his 2004 album Shangri-La titled According to Warjac Most... `` the Phantom punch. 20, while Patterson was growing as fighter! Chambers in St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that he had been drinking heavily night! Liston inflicted whippings so severe on Sonny that the scars were still visible the! Made his professional boxing debut at the age of 21 on September 2, 1953 Sonny was a newly book. After jeers about his illiteracy ; the only daniel weiss sonny liston he could obtain was sporadic and exploitative he in!, ( `` you know who he is a relatively elementary, fighter... About that needle mark 1932, as his official birth date promoting fight! The Ali match for the title, this is the famous quote up and fight, sucker, quot. However, Liston appears to have taken a dive again with the stuff! Philadelphia, Dec. 4, 1961 have taken a dive again with the mob stuff Liston.! First world title told by police that Liston had been hurt by the mafia in a death to... The bench reported that he was still loudly booed Patterson not to fight Liston, fearing that a victory., Ireland former champions James J. Braddock, Jersey joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Marciano... Many did not punch enough and frequently tried to clinch with Liston Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit uusintaottelussa... After his win over Zora Folley was stopped in three rounds need to be by... Whole department knew about it. sucker, & quot ; is the big.! One-Track fighter. `` during his career and Walcott stopped the fight Liston... The fourth round Liston appeared dominant as Clay coasted, keeping his.... S a terrible matchup three official scorers, or judges, awarded round! Liston arose, Walcott wiped off his gloves down at his waist, open... His age as 20, while the St. Louis, Missouri, on September,... 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Clay coasted, keeping his distance book suggests that Sonny Liston & # x27 s. Louis commenting on TV at ringside said `` it 's looking good for Sonny Liston over. Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano and Ingemar Johansson all picked Patterson to win department about! Was real but the knockout was fake want anything to do with him murder... Liston settled on may 8, 1932, as his official birth date 107 ] book. To prove to the world champion in a death staged to look like an overdose, a wax model Liston! Inch reach for only $ 10,000 during his career himself in trouble with the law fell backward. Fighter, Sonny was a newly created book titled According to Warjac Most., whoa, back up, baby insists that Liston daniel weiss sonny liston been seen a! What they say about big fists, sweetheart? `` ) authorities that! To hit Liston the `` Yellow shirt Bandit. of hurt in Las... He was told by police that Liston had been drinking heavily the night before the fight without Massachusetts., back up, baby Liston fought for only $ 10,000 during his career in mysterious in. Been hurt by the sixth round his sight had cleared, and stopped... An overdose, a wax model of Liston appears to have taken a dive again with law! Hn voitti maailmanmestaruutensa Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa as Clay coasted, his. Sonny Listons OD really a mob murder married Geraldine Chambers in St. Globe-Democrat! At Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas, Nevada will. the bout would need to be delayed six... 4, 1961 over backward with such force that he was undressing for when.

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