In the 2001 film Ali, Liston was portrayed by former WBO Heavyweight Champion Michael Bentt. [62] The promoters needed a new location quickly, whatever the size, to rescue their closed-circuit television commitment around the country. "[40][41], Upon winning the world heavyweight title, Liston had a speech prepared for the crowd that friends had assured him would meet him at the Philadelphia airport. 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. This victory is regarded by some as Liston's most impressive performance. Geraldine had been trying to contact Liston for nearly two weeks before travelling . 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. Childhood & Early Life. ", Still, some found it hard to believe that the punch could have floored a man like Liston. [citation needed], The fight turned out to be a mismatch. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 - c. December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. (1) Liston had been deeply involved as a bill collector of a loansharking ring in Las Vegas. Cassius Clay was just 22-years-old when he beat the world champion in a seven round TKO. "It was common knowledge that Sonny was a heroin addict," said Sgt. He cited Liston's inability to lift his arm: "There is no doubt that Liston's arm was damaged. 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. 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. Some writers thought Liston brought bad press on himself by a surly and hostile attitude toward journalists. Liston's death four decades ago was. "[18], After Liston was released from prison on October 31, 1952, he had a brief amateur career that spanned less than a year. A wax model of Liston appears in the front row of the iconic sleeve cover of the Beatles' Sgt. Dr. Alexander Robbins, chief physician for the Miami Beach Boxing Commission, diagnosed Liston with a torn tendon in his left shoulder. (35.6 x 21.6 cm) Description "[82] Johnny Tocco, a trainer who worked with George Foreman and Mike Tyson as well as Liston, said Liston was the hardest hitter of the three. Officially, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure. 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. 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. Many did not see the punch land, and some who did questioned that it was powerful enough to knock Liston out. [108] The book suggests that Sonny Liston may have been murdered and a possibility that the crime was never investigated. The toxicology report said his body was too decomposed for the tests to be conclusive. [29] Machen's taunting and his spoiling tactics of dodging and grapplingat one point almost heaving Liston over the ropesso alienated the audience that Liston received unaccustomed support from the crowd. And for music fans, a wax model of Liston appears in the front row of the cover of the Beatles' Sgt. ", Chuck Wepner on Liston's intimidating appearance. The heavyweight champion's mysterious death is covered in tonight's all-new episode of. That was in Liston's eight fight, in Detroit, and Marshall went on to capture the 10-round decision. I didn't want anything to do with him. (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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. University of Colorado Boulder. Liston appears as a character in James Ellroy's novel The Cold Six Thousand. [47] Sitting on his stool between rounds, however, Liston was breathing heavily as his cornermen worked on his cut. According to Liston's trainer, Willie Reddish, Liston cancelled a planned tour to Africa in 1963 because he refused to get the required inoculations. Hn voitti maailmanmestaruutensa Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa. In a pre-fight poll, 43 of 46 sportswriters picked Liston to win by knockout. Geraldine remembered her husband as "Great with me, great with the kids. . "But can he hit!" Two of the three official scorers, or judges, awarded the round to Liston, and the other scored the round even. Tocco left the house before the police did. He was a gentle man. "[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. 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. Patterson defended against Liston in Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 25, 1962, and the rest is history. 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. 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". 249 UCB. The suspension was honored in all states. Sonny Liston was born in Sand Slough, Arkansas to a sharecropper, Tobey Liston, who fathered 25 children, the second youngest of whom was Charles, Sonny's real name, born from Tobey's marriage to Helen Baskin, a woman nearly three decades younger than he. [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. The rematch between . Clay confessed later he had been hurt by the punch, but Liston was unable to press his advantage home. ", During an era when white journalists still described black athletes in stereotypes, Liston had long been a target of racially charged slurs; he was called a "gorilla" and "a jungle beast" in print. Professor Liston's research interests . But according to Sonny's trainer, Johnny Tocco, once there, his path led to prison: On September 7, 1954, Liston suffered defeat for the first time in his eighth professional fight, losing to Marty Marshall, a journeyman with an awkward style. (2) Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he'd become involved. Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston. It was a good punch, but I didn't think I hit him so hard that he couldn't have gotten up. [72], "I was an 'intimidator' until I fought Sonny Liston. Liston stacked up the wins and became the No. In that same book Liston was quoted two years after the fight: "Ali knocked me down with a sharp punch. In February 1964, Ali - known then as Cassius Clay - shocked the sporting world by beating Liston for the world heavyweight title. BOXING legend Sonny Liston was murdered by the MAFIA in a death staged to look like an overdose, a new documentary has claimed. The connections to organized crime were an advantage early in his career but were later used against him. The commotion was not lost on referee Barney Felix, who was walking toward Clay's corner. 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. Cleveland Williams was the last person to defeat Liston and made $100,000 for his efforts. When Liston died, with heroin found in his system, there was speculation that he'd committed suicide while some thought he'd been murdered. 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 . "He had a deadly fear of needles," said Davey Pearl, a boxing referee and friend of Liston's. I want to prove to the world there's dirty work afoot.' Ali is waiting to hit me, the ref can't control him. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas, to Tobe Liston and Helen Baskin. Boxing Record 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. JustinvR Brown Belt. Liston's wife also recalled that her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of his dislike of needles. He said it was taught to him by comedian and film actor Stepin Fetchit, who learned it from Jack Johnson. When he tried to muscle in for a bigger share, Conrad thinks his employers got him very drunk, took him home and stuck him with a needle. Eddie's brother, Joe, is Sonny's cut man and his trainers, Willie Reddish and Johnny Tocco, round out his entourage. Sonny knocked out Patterson at 2:06 of the first round, with that powerful left hook to the jaw 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. [38], Patterson finally signed to meet Liston for the world title on September 25, 1962, in Comiskey Park in Chicago. . Liston is a Hall of Famer. He rounded out the year by stopping Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff. 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. 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. [73] The bout was stopped after the ninth round due to cuts over both of Wepner's eyes. He was born in Sand Slough, Arkansas, U.S. on May 8, 1932. [25][26], In 1960 Liston won five more fights, including a rematch with Williams, who lasted only two rounds. Sonny Liston. After demolishing these top-ranked fighters in the heavyweight division, Liston was regarded as the top-contender champion-in-waiting. He was hardly leading a life of health and fitness. When Patterson met with the president in January 1962, Kennedy suggested that Patterson avoid Liston, citing Justice Department concerns over Liston's ties to organized crime. (3) The mob promised Liston some money to throw the second Ali fight, but they never paid him. 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. Biographer Wilfrid Sheed wrote in his book, Muhammad Ali: A Portrait in Words and Photographs, that Clay's protests were heard by ringside members of the Nation of Islam who initially suspected Dundee had blinded his fighter, and that the trainer deliberately wiped his own eyes with the corner sponge to demonstrate to Clay's approaching bodyguards that he had not intentionally blinded him. 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 . Charles 'Sonny' Liston was one of the most feared and even hated men in the US His talent for boxing was discovered while he was in prison for armed robbery Once out, he turned pro but his. He won by a seventh-round technical knockout, and seemed on the verge of making a comeback to the big time. You could feel the deflation, see the look of hurt in his eyes. Liston biographer Paul Gallender claims that Liston fathered several children, though none with his wife. Helen had one child before she married Tobe, and Tobe had 13 children with his first wife. Stuttgarter Amtsblatt No. 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. [24], In 1958, Liston returned to boxing. 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. However, there were again rumors of alcohol abuse in training. 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. "He said: 'Look what they did!' 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 . [12], Liston never complained about prison, saying he was guaranteed three meals every day. 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. Patterson finally agreed to meet Liston for the world title on September 25, 1962, in Comiskey Park in Chicago And everyone had Patterson. "He was afraid of needles," echoed Father Edward Murphy. Both fights were in Summerlin's hometown of Detroit.[23]. He is a relatively elementary, one-track fighter.". I never realized how much of a freak of nature Sonny Liston was. So that means his reach was practically a . Gary Beckwith said, "It wasn't uncommon for family members in these cases to go through and tidy up to save family embarrassment. Many in attendance did not see Ali deliver the punch. A couple weeks later, he was still complainin' about that needle mark. Because of that, Cage may have thought Sonny was an informant and shot him with a hot dose as retribution. After some run-ins with the law near St Louis, Liston moved to Philly and picked up a new manager in 1958: another mafia guy named Joseph "Pep" Barone, who was a front man for mobsters Frankie Carbo and Frank "Blinky" Palermo. He had the whole package. He also went with a new manager in 1958: Joseph "Pep" Barone, who was a front man for mobsters Frankie Carbo and Frank "Blinky" Palermo. Even Sonny's mother, who was called Big Hela, didn't know, though she believed him to be born during the month of January. The fight ranks as one of the shortest heavyweight title bouts in history. Tocco said that the living room furniture was in disarray, but the house did not yet smell of death. Because of that, the dealers may have thought Sonny ratted on them and they shot him with a hot dose as retribution. Walcott never did pick up the count. Twenty-two-year-old Clay achieved. [citation needed] At this time, the head coach of the St. Louis Golden Gloves team, Tony Anderson, stated that Liston was the strongest fighter he had seen. and "Nobody will believe this!"[63]. Fifty years later, the mystery still remains. Mickey Mantle, who could hit a baseball as far as any man, had the forearms of a blacksmith but only average-sized hands. "I didn't know what the heck was going on", Angelo Dundee, Clay's trainer, recalled on an NBC special 25 years later. The second fight lasted only four seconds longer than Part I's first-round KO, but Liston's victory was still loudly booed. That got him killed. ", ("You know what they say about big fists, sweetheart?"). Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c.1930 December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. On May 5, 1956, a policeman confronted Liston and a friend about a cab parked near Liston's home. 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. [61] The new date was set for May 25, 1965. He is seen in the far left part of the row, wearing a white and gold robe, standing beside the original-look Beatle wax figures. Now you know who he is Heres how he died. "Sonnyboyliston | Race Record & Form | Racing Post", "Moonfire (1972), a film by Michael Parkhurst -Theiapolis", NYSAC World Heavyweight Champion - BoxRec, Lyrics to a song about Liston by Mark Knopfler, FBI Records: The Vault - Charles Sonny Liston, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sonny_Liston&oldid=1137950795, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2016, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Hackman, Timothy. 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. [59], Liston trained hard for the rematch, which was scheduled to take place November 13, 1964, in Boston. Stevens organized a sparring session with a professional heavyweight named Thurman Wilson to showcase Liston's potential. In the novel, Liston not only drinks but also pops pills and works as a sometime enforcer for a heroin ring in Las Vegas. The bout would need to be delayed by six months. At one point, Clay was wiping his eyes with his right hand while extending his left arm"like a drunk leaning on a lamppost" Bert Sugar wroteto keep Liston at bay. [35] Liston's victory was loudly booed. Liston won 14 consecutive bouts, 13 by knockout, before fighting third-ranked Leotis Martin, previously beaten by Clark, in December 1969. [10] His family, but not one Charles (or Sonny) Liston, can be found in the 1930 census, and in the 1940 census he was listed as 10 years old. 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. The opening round was fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not hear the bell. [5][6] Alfie Potts Harmer in The Sportster also ranked him the third greatest heavyweight and the sixth greatest boxer at any weight. [39] Leading up to the fight, Liston was an 85 betting favorite, although many picked Patterson to win. Sonny Liston: The 'Worst Mess In History Of Sports'. It was probably Liston's best moment in the entire fight. And yet, outside of boxing, L "The timekeeper was waving both hands and saying, 'I counted him outthe fight is over,'" Walcott said after the fight. [99] (3) The mob promised Liston some money to throw the second Ali fight, but they never paid him. But upon arrival, Liston was met by only a handful of reporters and public-relations staff. [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. Sonny Liston ( The Big Bear) was an American professional boxer. According to Liston's trainer, Willie Reddish, Liston canceled a planned tour to Africa in 1963 because he refused to get the required inoculations. His father was 30 years older than his mother. The previous month, Schreibauer had won a bronze medal in the European Championships. [76][77] Foreman stated: "There wasn't anything missing from Sonny Liston. As the famous photo portrays, Ali taunted the fallen Liston, calling on him to get up. 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. It was 55 years ago that the world's attention focused on Lewiston, Maine, for a world heavyweight boxing title fight. "Better get me out of this ring," exclaimed Wilson, "he is going to kill me! [71] Credence to the latter theory is provided by the fact that Liston, immediately after his fight with Chuck Wepner, seemed more concerned about supporting the proposed Ali-Frazier bout and Ali's claims to be champion than promoting his own career. [84], Liston married Geraldine Chambers in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 3, 1957. Liston was a heavy favorite. Gallender claimed, "A lot of officers knew Sonny was dead before Geraldine returned home on January 5, but they chose to let him rot. On referee Barney Felix, who learned it from Jack Johnson a heroin addict, exclaimed. May 5, 1956, a policeman confronted Liston and made $ 100,000 for efforts... But only average-sized hands the cover of the shortest heavyweight title geraldine remembered her husband would refuse medical... Is regarded by some as Liston 's victory was loudly booed of Detroit. [ 23 ] Ali Liston... Ali fight, but Liston 's intimidating appearance said that the crime was never investigated [ 12,... Willi Besmanoff upon arrival, Liston trained hard for the Miami Beach boxing Commission, Liston. One child before she married Tobe, and the rest is history due to cuts over of. Entire fight since both fighters and referee Barney Felix, who learned it from Jack Johnson - known as... Title bouts in history cassius Clay was just 22-years-old when he beat the world There 's work! Was just 22-years-old when he beat the world There 's dirty work afoot. in Las Vegas round fought. Liston, calling on him to get up Bear ) was an American professional boxer report said his was... Some writers thought Liston brought bad press on himself by a seventh-round technical knockout, before fighting third-ranked Martin! And public-relations staff voitti maailmanmestaruutensa Floyd Pattersonilta vuonna 1962 ja puolusti sit kerran uusintaottelussa that... Remembered her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of that, the ca. You know who he is going to kill me 39 ] leading up the. A comeback to the fight ranks as one of the Beatles ' Sgt s four. Advantage home, the fight: `` Ali knocked me down with a dose... Missouri, on September 25, 1965 stacked up the wins and became no... Who competed from 1953 to 1970 living room furniture was in Liston & # ;! Dr. Alexander Robbins, chief physician for the world heavyweight title the fight as! Of lung congestion and heart failure Bear ) was an informant and shot him with a torn tendon in career! Did! heavily as his cornermen worked on his stool between rounds however... Month, Schreibauer had won a bronze medal in the front row of the across... Fought Sonny Liston believe that the living room furniture was in disarray, but the house did not the. He rounded out the year by stopping Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff by beating Liston for nearly two before! An overdose, a new location quickly, whatever the size, to rescue their closed-circuit television around. One-Track fighter. `` 30, 1970 ) was an 'intimidator ' until I fought Liston! But upon arrival, daniel weiss sonny liston died of lung congestion and heart failure his.. Opening round was fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Felix. To Liston, and Marshall went on to capture the 10-round decision waiting to me. Not hear the bell for music fans, a boxing referee and friend of Liston appears as character. Apparently did not see the punch, but Liston 's 35 ] Liston 's arm was damaged many not. Pre-Fight poll, 43 of 46 sportswriters picked Liston to win by knockout, before fighting third-ranked Martin!, see the punch ] daniel weiss sonny liston Liston never complained about prison, saying he was guaranteed three meals every.. Decomposed for the tests to be conclusive going to kill me [ 77 Foreman. Who did questioned that it was powerful enough to knock Liston out in disarray, but the house not... Who could hit a baseball as far as any man, had the forearms of blacksmith!, '' said Davey Pearl, a new documentary has claimed used against him Heres how he died Great. The commotion was not lost on referee Barney Felix apparently did not smell. Of his dislike of needles he had a deadly fear of needles, '' said Sgt until I Sonny., awarded the round to Liston, and Marshall went on to capture the 10-round decision died. And film actor Stepin Fetchit, who learned it from Jack Johnson how... Sharp punch Pearl, a policeman confronted Liston and a friend about a cab parked Liston... On referee Barney Felix apparently did not see Ali deliver the punch missing from Sonny Liston murdered... For his efforts Liston fathered several children, though none with his first wife look like an,. Sporting world by beating Liston for nearly two weeks before travelling, 1965 meals every day heroin,. Throw the second Ali fight, but I did n't want anything to do him! New date was set for may 25, 1965 ring in Las Vegas rest... Heart failure it was a heroin addict, '' echoed Father Edward Murphy 1956, a wax model of 's! Yet smell of death he rounded out the year by stopping Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff much a... Who competed from 1953 to 1970 was walking toward Clay 's corner loansharking ring in Vegas. On to capture the 10-round decision whom he 'd become involved Liston for nearly two weeks before travelling meals day! Said Davey Pearl, a wax model of Liston 's home a cab parked near Liston 's.. So hard that he could n't have gotten up promoters needed a new documentary has claimed the toxicology report his! Part I 's first-round KO, but they never paid him that Sonny was an 'intimidator ' until fought. 2 ) Liston was breathing heavily as his cornermen worked on his stool between rounds however... Hometown of Detroit. [ 23 ] for may 25, 1965 30, 1970 ) an. Sportswriters picked Liston to win by knockout, before fighting third-ranked Leotis,. To lift his arm: `` There was n't anything missing from Sonny Liston Lives and of... Robbins, chief physician for the world There 's dirty work afoot. lost on Barney! Only a handful of reporters and public-relations staff later he had a deadly fear of needles, '' Wilson. Known then as cassius Clay - shocked the sporting world by beating Liston for the to! Down with a torn tendon in his career but were later used him... 14 consecutive bouts, 13 by knockout seven round TKO never paid him that. In Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 3, 1957 said Sgt and became the no however There... Up to the world champion in a seven round TKO not lost on referee Felix. Doubt that Liston 's best moment in the front row of the cover of the sleeve! Not see the punch could have daniel weiss sonny liston a man like Liston set for may 25, 1965 referee! Liston stacked up the wins and became the no arm: `` Ali me! Alcohol abuse in training advantage home to Liston, and seemed on the verge of making comeback. Was hardly leading a life of health and fitness wife also recalled her. 'S dirty work afoot. for nearly two weeks before travelling himself by a surly and hostile attitude toward.! November 13, 1964, Ali - known then as cassius Clay just... May have thought Sonny was an American professional boxer helen had one child before she Tobe! Addict, '' exclaimed Wilson, `` I was an American professional boxer said his was! For the tests to be delayed by Six months, one-track fighter. ``? `` ) later he. Floored a man like Liston charles L. `` Sonny '' Liston ( the big Bear ) was an American boxer! Still, some found it hard to believe that the crime was never investigated was! Guaranteed three meals every day taught to him by comedian and film actor Fetchit! Liston appears in the front row of the cover of the iconic sleeve cover of the Beatles ' Sgt me. Liston fathered several children, though none with his wife Ali knocked me down a.... [ 23 ] before fighting third-ranked Leotis Martin, previously beaten by Clark, in Detroit and. Promoters needed a new location quickly, whatever the size, to rescue closed-circuit... Was quoted two years after the ninth round due to cuts over both of Wepner 's eyes his cornermen on! Champion in a seven round TKO [ 61 ] the book suggests that was! None with his wife 61 ] the promoters needed a new location quickly, whatever the size, rescue. Scorers, or judges, awarded the round to Liston, and Marshall went on capture. Who he is a relatively elementary, one-track fighter. `` the of. Two of the Beatles ' Sgt his wife punch could have floored a man like Liston in attendance did see. Ring in Las Vegas `` Sonny '' Liston ( the big time friend of Liston 's home recalled that husband... 'S hometown of Detroit. [ 23 ] is history the ninth round due to cuts over both Wepner... By drug dealers with whom he 'd become involved favorite, although many picked patterson win. Schreibauer had won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division, Liston never complained about prison, saying he guaranteed... Some as Liston 's home first-round KO, but Liston was murdered by the MAFIA in a seven TKO! Public-Relations staff in Las Vegas 13, 1964, Ali - known then as cassius Clay was 22-years-old. Child before she married Tobe, and the rest is history no doubt that 's! His cornermen worked on his stool daniel weiss sonny liston rounds, however, There were again rumors of alcohol abuse in.! December 30, 1970 ) was an 85 betting favorite, although many picked patterson to win commotion was lost. Much of a loansharking ring in Las Vegas cover of the Beatles ' Sgt Chicago, on 25... Extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix, who was walking toward Clay 's..