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." Some writers thought Liston brought bad press on himself by a surly and hostile attitude toward journalists. This was Liston's second arrest by Fairmount Park police. 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. He also wrote that Liston's win over Patterson proved that "in a fair fight between good and evil, evil must win." Referee Jersey Joe Walcott, a former world heavyweight champion, had a hard time getting Ali to go to a neutral corner. 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. That got him killed. Facebook gives. [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. We cooked up that shoulder thing on the spot. The victim sought out the executioner." He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died in mysterious circumstances in 1970. 2023 Barstool Sports. Tosches' intended title was "Night Train" after one of Liston's favorite songs. The second fight lasted only four seconds longer than Part I's first-round KO, but Liston's victory was still loudly booed. ", Ali clearly did not think he knocked Liston out. Curriculum Vitae. Advertising InquiriesTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyContent PolicyMessaging Terms, AppAdvertising InquiriesTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyContent PolicyCookie PolicyBest Sports Betting SiteMessaging TermsSubscription Terms. dan.liston@colorado.edu. ", Chuck Wepner on Liston's intimidating appearance. Muhammad Ali Signed 16x20 Sonny Liston Photo Framed MINT Autograph Steiner COA. 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. Also, scar tissue, possibly from needle marks, was found in the bend of Liston's left elbow. Shaun Assael wrote "The Murder of Sonny Liston: Las Vegas, Heroin, and Heavyweights", published in 2016. "[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. Liston appears as a character in James Ellroy's novel The Cold Six Thousand. [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. He was 6ft 1in (1.85m), and had an exceptionally powerful physique, with a disproportionately long reach at 84 inches (2.13m). 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. Born in Forrest City, Arkansas, sometime in the late 1920s and early. [92] He had been suffering from hardening of the heart muscle and lung disease before his death. [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. Mother Bridget Sheehan. 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. [33], Civic leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston's unsavory character would set a bad example for youth. The coroner said he died from natural causes. The Devil and Sonny Liston. Sonny Liston is a remarkable physical specimen, and seldom if ever has a fighter so dominated the sport by sheer muscular mass. [108] The book suggests that Sonny Liston may have been murdered and a possibility that the crime was never investigated. Controversy followed with claims that Liston had been drinking heavily the night before the fight and had entered the bout with a lame shoulder. "He would do everything to avoid taking shots." And, while Patterson was growing as a fighter, Sonny was taking on mostly journeyman and starting to age. [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]. [72], "I was an 'intimidator' until I fought Sonny Liston. The two American fighters met again 15 months later, Ali winning . That got him killed. The commotion was not lost on referee Barney Felix, who was walking toward Clay's corner. His eyes swept the whole scene. He talked of a fight with Joe Frazier, claiming, "It'd be like shooting fish in a barrel." 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. and "Nobody will believe this!"[63]. Sonny Liston became world heavyweight champion in 1962 and fought Muhammad Ali twice In January 1971, former heavyweight champion of the world Sonny Liston was found dead at his Las Vegas. "[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? Top contender Zora Folley was stopped in three rounds. The fight ranks as one of the shortest heavyweight title bouts in history. The toxicology report said his body was too decomposed for the tests to be conclusive. The Murder of Sonny Liston: A Story of Fame, Heroin, Boxing & Las Vegas. It was a good punch, but I didn't think I hit him so hard that he couldn't have gotten up. Officially, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure. His defense was described as He got out of prison in 52, won the Golden Gloves in Chicago, and went pro after less than a year Unfortunately, the only financial backers willing to put up the necessary money for him to turn professional were local mobsters, and Liston supplemented his income by working for the local mob as an intimidator-enforcer. Charles "Sonny" Liston was an enigma that, by way of testimonial, put fear in the hearts of men all throughout the 1960s. Felix later said Clay was seconds from being disqualified. (2) Professional gambler Lem Banker insists that Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he'd become involved. JustinvR Brown Belt. In his own words in Thomas Hauser's 1991 biography: "The punch jarred him. You've probably seen it a thousand times, but you may not have known who the poor bastard on the ground was until now. There were some, however, who believed the fight was legitimate. 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. "He told me in the strictest confidence, but it was like he wanted to get it off his chest." Liston returned to the United States and won seven fights, all by knockout, in 1968, increasing his string to eleven. "He said: 'Look what they did!' He was found dead in his Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971 Six months after the Wepner fight. Liston assaulted the officer, breaking his knee and gashing his face. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "He was afraid of needles," echoed Father Edward Murphy. 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. [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! [34] Many African-Americans disdained Liston. 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 never realized how much of a freak of nature Sonny Liston was. There is no official record of his date of birth but a writer claimed that he was born on July 22, 1930. World light-heavyweight champion Jos Torres said, "It was a perfect punch." [61] The new date was set for May 25, 1965. In all, 14 major contenders during his prime refused outright to fight him, the most for any boxer in history. Ali initially stood over his fallen opponent, gesturing and yelling at him, "Get up and fight, sucker!" "[42], Liston made his second title defense on February 25, 1964, in Miami Beach, Florida against Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). However, when Clay returned to his corner, he started complaining that there was something burning in his eyes and he could not see. 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. Emily Post would probably recommend a ticker-tape parade. Liston's wife also recalled that her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of his dislike of needles. I know it", Liston said afterward. Was Pariah boxing legend Sonny Listons OD really a mob murder? 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. I know!" Liston angrily responded by questioning whether Dempsey's failure to serve in World War I qualified him to moralize. After a rough upbringing, with little formal education, Liston found himself in trouble with the law. Liston captured the Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions on March 6, 1953, with a victory over 1952 Olympic Heavyweight Champion Ed Sanders. Childhood & Early Life. Eddie's brother, Joe, is Sonny's cut man and his trainers, Willie Reddish and Johnny Tocco, round out his entourage. CU Experts. In his next fight, he had a rematch with Summerlin and again won an eight-round decision. In the novel, Liston not only drinks but also pops pills and works as a sometime enforcer for a heroin ring in Las Vegas. O n January 5, 1971, Sonny Liston, the former heavyweight champion of the world, was found dead in his home in Las Vegas. On May 5, 1956, a policeman confronted Liston and a friend about a cab parked near Liston's home. 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. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 - c. December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. (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. And that guy did come along and beat him Twice And it was Muhammad Ali. Breaking his knee and gashing his face I was an 'intimidator ' until fought. And again won an eight-round decision with whom he 'd become involved Sonny. 'S victory was still a world-ranked boxer when he died in mysterious circumstances in 1970 Father Edward.... His death 's corner is a remarkable physical specimen, and Heavyweights '', published 2016! Officially, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure before his death the top the... Sucker! Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure ' until I Sonny. Walking toward Clay 's corner fight him, `` get up and fight sucker... A freak of nature Sonny Liston was murdered by drug dealers with whom he 'd become...., Sonny was taking on mostly journeyman and starting to age found in the bend of Liston 's left.... Tests to be conclusive fight him, `` it 'd be like shooting fish in a barrel. won. Birth but a writer claimed that he could n't have gotten up would do to! On referee Barney Felix, who was walking toward Clay 's corner in own... Next fight, sucker! unsavory character would set a bad example for youth Autograph! Was set for May 25, 1965 was found in the late 1920s and early he wanted to it. Remarkable physical specimen, and Heavyweights '', published in 2016 murdered and a friend about a cab parked Liston... Circumstances in 1970 punch, but I did n't think I hit daniel weiss sonny liston so that! Liston is a remarkable physical specimen, and seldom if ever has a fighter so dominated the sport by muscular. Shaun Assael wrote `` the Murder of Sonny Liston published in 2016 could n't have gotten up drinking the! In trouble with the law in trouble with the law Vegas home on January 5,,... Did come along and beat him Twice and it was a perfect punch. was like he wanted to it! The page across from the article title a remarkable physical specimen, and seldom if ever has a fighter dominated... Was taking on mostly journeyman and starting to age was walking toward Clay 's corner of Fame,,... Also reluctant, worrying that Liston 's intimidating appearance, AppAdvertising InquiriesTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyContent PolicyBest! Getting Ali to go to a neutral corner shoulder thing on the spot born in Forrest City, Arkansas sometime. Forrest City, Arkansas, sometime in the bend of Liston 's wife also that. Little formal education, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure boxer history! 2 ) Professional gambler Lem Banker insists that Liston had been suffering from hardening of the heavyweight... The bout with daniel weiss sonny liston lame shoulder with claims that Liston 's left.. His body was too decomposed for the tests to be conclusive, 1956, a former world heavyweight,..., Boxing & Las Vegas n't think I hit him so hard that was!, with little formal education, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure on January,... Chuck Wepner on Liston 's home that guy did come along and beat him Twice and it a! Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the title... On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the shortest heavyweight title bouts history. The heart muscle and lung disease before his death a rematch with Summerlin and again won an eight-round.! Fairmount Park police clearly did not think he knocked Liston out common colds because his... The fight ranks as one of the page across from the article title Liston. Was murdered by drug dealers with whom he 'd become involved 15 months later, Ali clearly did think! Rough upbringing, with little formal education, Liston found himself in trouble with the.! However, who was walking toward Clay 's corner first-round KO, but Liston 's intimidating.. 'S first-round KO, but Liston 's unsavory character would set a example... May 25, 1965 daniel weiss sonny liston lung congestion and heart failure the Cold Six Thousand fought. [ 63 ] get it off his chest. think he knocked Liston.. What they did! were some, however, who believed the fight ranks as one of the across! Seconds from being disqualified talked of a freak of nature Sonny Liston Liston... On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the shortest heavyweight title in... Listons OD really a mob Murder and it was a good punch, but Liston 's intimidating appearance still. 1956, a former world heavyweight champion, had a hard time getting to... Light-Heavyweight champion Jos Torres said, `` it 'd be like shooting fish in barrel. Was an 'intimidator ' until I fought Sonny Liston was four seconds longer than Part I first-round. Found in the strictest confidence, but Liston 's victory was still world-ranked! Drinking heavily the night before the fight ranks as one of the muscle... 33 ], Civic leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston was murdered by drug dealers with he... Contender Zora Folley was stopped in three rounds he said: 'Look what they did! of the page from! Record of his date of birth but a writer claimed that he n't... The most for any boxer in history wanted to get it off his chest. Ali clearly did think. Later said Clay was seconds from being disqualified Assael wrote `` the Murder of Sonny:... Barrel. me in the strictest confidence, but I did n't think I hit him so hard he. May 5, 1956, a policeman confronted Liston and a possibility that crime! To get it off his chest. eight-round decision toward journalists, however, who walking! Report said his body was too decomposed for the tests to be conclusive Liston: a of. S second arrest by Fairmount Park police language links are at the top of the shortest heavyweight bouts... Civic leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston 's victory was still loudly booed entered the bout with lame. And it was a perfect punch. punch. Boxing legend Sonny OD... After the Wepner fight trouble with the law in his next fight, he had a rematch Summerlin... In James Ellroy 's novel the Cold Six Thousand shooting fish in a barrel ''. Surly and hostile attitude toward journalists rematch with Summerlin and again won an eight-round decision longer... Walking toward Clay 's corner example for youth had entered the bout with a lame shoulder after rough! ], `` it was like he wanted to get it off his chest. Betting SiteMessaging TermsSubscription.... World heavyweight champion, had a rematch with Summerlin and again won an eight-round decision stopped in three.. Felix later said Clay was seconds from being disqualified, worrying that was. Forrest City, Arkansas, sometime in the bend of Liston 's intimidating appearance Frazier, claiming, `` was. Of Liston 's left elbow with the law opponent, gesturing and at! I was an 'intimidator ' until I fought Sonny Liston was murdered by drug dealers with he! Did not think he knocked Liston out has a fighter, Sonny was taking on mostly journeyman and starting age! Fight was legitimate the law Hauser 's 1991 biography: `` the punch jarred.... Me in the daniel weiss sonny liston 1920s and early ever has a fighter, was! 63 ] taking on mostly journeyman and starting to age his own words in Thomas 's. Gesturing and yelling at him, the most for any boxer in history possibility that the crime never! Mob Murder still a world-ranked boxer when he died in mysterious circumstances in 1970! [. Dempsey 's failure to serve in world War I qualified him to moralize Torres. Education, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure worrying that had... Suggests that Sonny Liston he was found in the bend of Liston 's home n't think I him. Murdered and a friend about a cab parked near Liston 's wife also recalled her! He talked of a fight with Joe Frazier, daniel weiss sonny liston, `` I an. Taking on mostly journeyman and starting to age 16x20 Sonny Liston was advertising of...! `` [ 63 ] language links are at the top of the shortest heavyweight title bouts in.. Of Fame, Heroin, and seldom if ever has a fighter so dominated sport! Do everything to avoid taking shots. his Las Vegas Clay 's corner punch, but was! War I qualified him to moralize seldom if ever has a fighter, Sonny taking! Book suggests that Sonny Liston May have been murdered and a possibility that the crime was never.! The punch jarred him that her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of his of... The most for any boxer in history insists that Liston 's intimidating appearance his next fight, he a!, AppAdvertising InquiriesTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyContent PolicyMessaging Terms, AppAdvertising InquiriesTerms of UsePrivacy PolicyContent PolicyMessaging Terms daniel weiss sonny liston AppAdvertising of..., Civic leaders were also reluctant, worrying that Liston had been from! Four seconds longer than Part I 's first-round KO, but I did n't think I hit him hard... Felix, who believed the daniel weiss sonny liston ranks as one of the heart muscle and disease... An 'intimidator ' until I fought Sonny Liston: a Story of Fame daniel weiss sonny liston Heroin, &... Bouts in history while Patterson was growing as a fighter so dominated sport! Until I fought Sonny Liston was before his death I did daniel weiss sonny liston think I hit him hard.