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Sonny Liston

Updated: Wikipedia source

Sonny Liston

Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 – December 30, 1970), nicknamed "the Big Bear", was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. A dominant contender of his era, he became the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1962 after knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round, repeating the knockout the following year in defense of the title; in the latter fight he also became the inaugural WBC heavyweight champion. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Liston is known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and is widely regarded as the most intimidating man in the history of combat sports. Although Liston was widely regarded as unbeatable, he lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), who entered as an 8:1 underdog. Liston retired in his corner due to an inflamed shoulder. Controversy followed with claims that Liston had been drinking heavily the night before the fight and had entered the bout with a lame shoulder. In his 1965 rematch with Ali, Liston suffered an unexpected first-round knockout that led to unresolved suspicions of a fix. He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died under mysterious circumstances in 1970. The Ring magazine ranks Liston as the tenth greatest heavyweight of all time, while boxing writer Herb Goldman ranked him second and Richard O'Brien, Senior Editor of Sports Illustrated, placed him third. Alfie Potts Harmer in The Sportster also ranked him the third greatest heavyweight and the sixth greatest boxer at any weight. Liston was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Infobox

Nickname(s)
The Big Bear, The Night Train
Born
Charles L. Listonc. 1930Sand Slough, Arkansas, U.S.
Died
December 30, 1970 (aged c. 40)Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Height
6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight
Heavyweight
Reach
84 in (213 cm)[nb 1]
Stance
Orthodox
Total fights
54
Wins
50
Win by KO
39
Losses
4

Tables

· Professional boxing record
By knockout
By knockout
54 fights
By knockout
50 wins
39
4 losses
3
By decision
By decision
54 fights
By decision
50 wins
11
4 losses
1
54 fights
50 wins
4 losses
By knockout
39
3
By decision
11
1
· Professional boxing record
54
54
No.
54
Result
Win
Record
50–4
Opponent
Chuck Wepner
Type
TKO
Round, time
9 (10), 3:00
Date
Jun 29, 1970
Location
National Guard Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
53
53
No.
53
Result
Loss
Record
49–4
Opponent
Leotis Martin
Type
KO
Round, time
9 (12), 1:08
Date
Dec 6, 1969
Location
Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
Notes
For vacant NABF heavyweight title
52
52
No.
52
Result
Win
Record
49–3
Opponent
Sonny Moore
Type
KO
Round, time
3 (10)
Date
Sep 23, 1969
Location
Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
51
51
No.
51
Result
Win
Record
48–3
Opponent
George Johnson
Type
TKO
Round, time
7 (10), 2:55
Date
May 19, 1969
Location
Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
50
50
No.
50
Result
Win
Record
47–3
Opponent
Billy Joiner
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Mar 28, 1969
Location
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
49
49
No.
49
Result
Win
Record
46–3
Opponent
Amos Lincoln
Type
KO
Round, time
2 (10), 2:46
Date
Dec 10, 1968
Location
Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
48
48
No.
48
Result
Win
Record
45–3
Opponent
Roger Rischer
Type
KO
Round, time
3 (10), 2:23
Date
Nov 12, 1968
Location
Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47
47
No.
47
Result
Win
Record
44–3
Opponent
Willis Earls
Type
KO
Round, time
2 (10), 1:52
Date
Nov 3, 1968
Location
Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
46
46
No.
46
Result
Win
Record
43–3
Opponent
Sonny Moore
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (10)
Date
Oct 14, 1968
Location
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
45
45
No.
45
Result
Win
Record
42–3
Opponent
Henry Clark
Type
TKO
Round, time
7 (10), 2:47
Date
Jul 6, 1968
Location
Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
44
44
No.
44
Result
Win
Record
41–3
Opponent
Billy Joiner
Type
RTD
Round, time
7 (10), 3:00
Date
May 23, 1968
Location
Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
43
43
No.
43
Result
Win
Record
40–3
Opponent
Bill McMurray
Type
TKO
Round, time
4 (10), 0:47
Date
Mar 16, 1968
Location
Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
42
42
No.
42
Result
Win
Record
39–3
Opponent
Elmer Rush
Type
TKO
Round, time
6 (10)
Date
Apr 28, 1967
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
41
41
No.
41
Result
Win
Record
38–3
Opponent
Dave Bailey
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (10), 2:22
Date
Mar 30, 1967
Location
Mässhallen, Gothenburg, Sweden
40
40
No.
40
Result
Win
Record
37–3
Opponent
Amos Johnson
Type
KO
Round, time
3 (10), 1:48
Date
Aug 19, 1966
Location
Nya Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
39
39
No.
39
Result
Win
Record
36–3
Opponent
Gerhard Zech
Type
KO
Round, time
7 (10), 1:11
Date
Jul 1, 1966
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
38
38
No.
38
Result
Loss
Record
35–3
Opponent
Muhammad Ali
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (15), 2:12
Date
May 25, 1965
Location
St. Dominic's Hall, Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
Notes
For WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
37
37
No.
37
Result
Loss
Record
35–2
Opponent
Cassius Clay
Type
RTD
Round, time
6 (15), 3:00
Date
Feb 25, 1964
Location
Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Notes
Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
36
36
No.
36
Result
Win
Record
35–1
Opponent
Floyd Patterson
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (15), 2:10
Date
July 22, 1963
Location
Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
Notes
Retained WBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles;Won inaugural WBC heavyweight title
35
35
No.
35
Result
Win
Record
34–1
Opponent
Floyd Patterson
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (15), 2:06
Date
Sep 25, 1962
Location
Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Notes
Won WBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
34
34
No.
34
Result
Win
Record
33–1
Opponent
Albert Westphal
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (10), 1:58
Date
Dec 4, 1961
Location
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33
33
No.
33
Result
Win
Record
32–1
Opponent
Howard King
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (10), 0:53
Date
Mar 8, 1961
Location
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
32
32
No.
32
Result
Win
Record
31–1
Opponent
Eddie Machen
Type
UD
Round, time
12
Date
Sep 7, 1960
Location
Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
31
31
No.
31
Result
Win
Record
30–1
Opponent
Zora Folley
Type
KO
Round, time
3 (12), 0:28
Date
Jul 18, 1960
Location
Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
30
30
No.
30
Result
Win
Record
29–1
Opponent
Roy Harris
Type
TKO
Round, time
1 (10), 2:35
Date
Apr 25, 1960
Location
Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
29
29
No.
29
Result
Win
Record
28–1
Opponent
Cleveland Williams
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (10), 2:13
Date
Mar 21, 1960
Location
Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
28
28
No.
28
Result
Win
Record
27–1
Opponent
Howard King
Type
RTD
Round, time
7 (10), 3:00
Date
Feb 23, 1960
Location
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
27
27
No.
27
Result
Win
Record
26–1
Opponent
Willi Besmanoff
Type
RTD
Round, time
6 (10), 3:00
Date
Dec 9, 1959
Location
Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
26
26
No.
26
Result
Win
Record
25–1
Opponent
Niño Valdés
Type
KO
Round, time
3 (10), 0:47
Date
Aug 5, 1959
Location
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
25
25
No.
25
Result
Win
Record
24–1
Opponent
Cleveland Williams
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (10), 2:13
Date
Apr 15, 1959
Location
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
24
24
No.
24
Result
Win
Record
23–1
Opponent
Mike DeJohn
Type
TKO
Round, time
6 (10), 2:43
Date
Feb 18, 1959
Location
Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
23
23
No.
23
Result
Win
Record
22–1
Opponent
Ernie Cab
Type
RTD
Round, time
7 (10), 3:00
Date
Nov 18, 1958
Location
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
22
22
No.
22
Result
Win
Record
21–1
Opponent
Bert Whitehurst
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Oct 24, 1958
Location
St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
21
21
No.
21
Result
Win
Record
20–1
Opponent
Frankie Daniels
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (10), 2:22
Date
Oct 7, 1958
Location
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
20
20
No.
20
Result
Win
Record
19–1
Opponent
Wayne Bethea
Type
TKO
Round, time
1 (10), 1:09
Date
Aug 6, 1958
Location
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19
19
No.
19
Result
Win
Record
18–1
Opponent
Julio Mederos
Type
RTD
Round, time
2 (10)
Date
May 14, 1958
Location
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
18
18
No.
18
Result
Win
Record
17–1
Opponent
Bert Whitehurst
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Apr 3, 1958
Location
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
17
17
No.
17
Result
Win
Record
16–1
Opponent
Ben Wise
Type
TKO
Round, time
4 (8)
Date
Mar 11, 1958
Location
Midwest Gymnasium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
16
16
No.
16
Result
Win
Record
15–1
Opponent
Billy Hunter
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (6)
Date
Jan 29, 1958
Location
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
15
15
No.
15
Result
Win
Record
14–1
Opponent
Marty Marshall
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Mar 6, 1956
Location
Pittsburgh Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14
14
No.
14
Result
Win
Record
13–1
Opponent
Larry Watson
Type
TKO
Round, time
4 (10)
Date
Dec 13, 1955
Location
Alnad Shriner Temple, East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
13
13
No.
13
Result
Win
Record
12–1
Opponent
Johnny Gray
Type
TKO
Round, time
6 (10)
Date
Sep 13, 1955
Location
Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
12
12
No.
12
Result
Win
Record
11–1
Opponent
Calvin Butler
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (8), 2:18
Date
May 25, 1955
Location
St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
11
11
No.
11
Result
Win
Record
10–1
Opponent
Emil Brtko
Type
TKO
Round, time
5 (10), 2:55
Date
May 5, 1955
Location
Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10
10
No.
10
Result
Win
Record
9–1
Opponent
Marty Marshall
Type
TKO
Round, time
6 (8)
Date
Apr 21, 1955
Location
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
9
9
No.
9
Result
Win
Record
8–1
Opponent
Neal Welch
Type
PTS
Round, time
8
Date
Mar 1, 1955
Location
New Masonic Temple, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
8
8
No.
8
Result
Loss
Record
7–1
Opponent
Marty Marshall
Type
SD
Round, time
8
Date
Sep 7, 1954
Location
Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
7
7
No.
7
Result
Win
Record
7–0
Opponent
Johnny Summerlin
Type
SD
Round, time
8
Date
Aug 10, 1954
Location
Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
6
6
No.
6
Result
Win
Record
6–0
Opponent
Johnny Summerlin
Type
UD
Round, time
8
Date
Jun 29, 1954
Location
Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
5
5
No.
5
Result
Win
Record
5–0
Opponent
Stanley Howlett
Type
PTS
Round, time
6
Date
Mar 31, 1954
Location
St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
4
4
No.
4
Result
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
Martin Lee
Type
TKO
Round, time
6 (6)
Date
Jan 25, 1954
Location
New Masonic Temple, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
3
3
No.
3
Result
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
Bennie Thomas
Type
SD
Round, time
6
Date
Nov 21, 1953
Location
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
2
2
No.
2
Result
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Ponce de Leon
Type
PTS
Round, time
4
Date
Sep 17, 1953
Location
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
1
1
No.
1
Result
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Don Smith
Type
TKO
Round, time
1 (4), 0:33
Date
Sep 2, 1953
Location
St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
No.
Result
Record
Opponent
Type
Round, time
Date
Location
Notes
54
Win
50–4
Chuck Wepner
TKO
9 (10), 3:00
Jun 29, 1970
National Guard Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
53
Loss
49–4
Leotis Martin
KO
9 (12), 1:08
Dec 6, 1969
Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
For vacant NABF heavyweight title
52
Win
49–3
Sonny Moore
KO
3 (10)
Sep 23, 1969
Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
51
Win
48–3
George Johnson
TKO
7 (10), 2:55
May 19, 1969
Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
50
Win
47–3
Billy Joiner
UD
10
Mar 28, 1969
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
49
Win
46–3
Amos Lincoln
KO
2 (10), 2:46
Dec 10, 1968
Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
48
Win
45–3
Roger Rischer
KO
3 (10), 2:23
Nov 12, 1968
Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47
Win
44–3
Willis Earls
KO
2 (10), 1:52
Nov 3, 1968
Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
46
Win
43–3
Sonny Moore
TKO
3 (10)
Oct 14, 1968
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
45
Win
42–3
Henry Clark
TKO
7 (10), 2:47
Jul 6, 1968
Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
44
Win
41–3
Billy Joiner
RTD
7 (10), 3:00
May 23, 1968
Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
43
Win
40–3
Bill McMurray
TKO
4 (10), 0:47
Mar 16, 1968
Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
42
Win
39–3
Elmer Rush
TKO
6 (10)
Apr 28, 1967
Stockholm, Sweden
41
Win
38–3
Dave Bailey
KO
1 (10), 2:22
Mar 30, 1967
Mässhallen, Gothenburg, Sweden
40
Win
37–3
Amos Johnson
KO
3 (10), 1:48
Aug 19, 1966
Nya Ullevi, Gothenburg, Sweden
39
Win
36–3
Gerhard Zech
KO
7 (10), 1:11
Jul 1, 1966
Stockholm, Sweden
38
Loss
35–3
Muhammad Ali
KO
1 (15), 2:12
May 25, 1965
St. Dominic's Hall, Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
For WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
37
Loss
35–2
Cassius Clay
RTD
6 (15), 3:00
Feb 25, 1964
Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
36
Win
35–1
Floyd Patterson
KO
1 (15), 2:10
July 22, 1963
Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
Retained WBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles;Won inaugural WBC heavyweight title
35
Win
34–1
Floyd Patterson
KO
1 (15), 2:06
Sep 25, 1962
Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Won WBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
34
Win
33–1
Albert Westphal
KO
1 (10), 1:58
Dec 4, 1961
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33
Win
32–1
Howard King
TKO
3 (10), 0:53
Mar 8, 1961
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
32
Win
31–1
Eddie Machen
UD
12
Sep 7, 1960
Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
31
Win
30–1
Zora Folley
KO
3 (12), 0:28
Jul 18, 1960
Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
30
Win
29–1
Roy Harris
TKO
1 (10), 2:35
Apr 25, 1960
Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
29
Win
28–1
Cleveland Williams
TKO
2 (10), 2:13
Mar 21, 1960
Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
28
Win
27–1
Howard King
RTD
7 (10), 3:00
Feb 23, 1960
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
27
Win
26–1
Willi Besmanoff
RTD
6 (10), 3:00
Dec 9, 1959
Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
26
Win
25–1
Niño Valdés
KO
3 (10), 0:47
Aug 5, 1959
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
25
Win
24–1
Cleveland Williams
TKO
3 (10), 2:13
Apr 15, 1959
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
24
Win
23–1
Mike DeJohn
TKO
6 (10), 2:43
Feb 18, 1959
Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
23
Win
22–1
Ernie Cab
RTD
7 (10), 3:00
Nov 18, 1958
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
22
Win
21–1
Bert Whitehurst
UD
10
Oct 24, 1958
St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
21
Win
20–1
Frankie Daniels
KO
1 (10), 2:22
Oct 7, 1958
Municipal Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
20
Win
19–1
Wayne Bethea
TKO
1 (10), 1:09
Aug 6, 1958
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19
Win
18–1
Julio Mederos
RTD
2 (10)
May 14, 1958
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
18
Win
17–1
Bert Whitehurst
PTS
10
Apr 3, 1958
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
17
Win
16–1
Ben Wise
TKO
4 (8)
Mar 11, 1958
Midwest Gymnasium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
16
Win
15–1
Billy Hunter
TKO
2 (6)
Jan 29, 1958
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
15
Win
14–1
Marty Marshall
UD
10
Mar 6, 1956
Pittsburgh Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14
Win
13–1
Larry Watson
TKO
4 (10)
Dec 13, 1955
Alnad Shriner Temple, East St. Louis, Illinois, U.S.
13
Win
12–1
Johnny Gray
TKO
6 (10)
Sep 13, 1955
Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
12
Win
11–1
Calvin Butler
TKO
2 (8), 2:18
May 25, 1955
St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
11
Win
10–1
Emil Brtko
TKO
5 (10), 2:55
May 5, 1955
Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10
Win
9–1
Marty Marshall
TKO
6 (8)
Apr 21, 1955
Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
9
Win
8–1
Neal Welch
PTS
8
Mar 1, 1955
New Masonic Temple, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
8
Loss
7–1
Marty Marshall
SD
8
Sep 7, 1954
Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
7
Win
7–0
Johnny Summerlin
SD
8
Aug 10, 1954
Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
6
Win
6–0
Johnny Summerlin
UD
8
Jun 29, 1954
Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
· External links
Amateur boxing titles
Amateur boxing titles
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:Ed Sanders
Previous:Ed Sanders
Sporting positions
Previous:Ed Sanders
Sporting positions
U.S. Golden Glovesheavyweight champion 1953
Sporting positions
Next:Garvin Sawyer
World boxing titles
World boxing titles
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded byFloyd Patterson
Preceded byFloyd Patterson
Sporting positions
Preceded byFloyd Patterson
Sporting positions
NYSAC heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Sporting positions
Succeeded byCassius Clay(renamed Muhammad Alia few days later)
WBA heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
WBA heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Sporting positions
WBA heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
The Ring heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
The Ring heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Sporting positions
The Ring heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Undisputed heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Undisputed heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Sporting positions
Undisputed heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Inaugural champion
Inaugural champion
Sporting positions
Inaugural champion
Sporting positions
WBC heavyweight champion July 22, 1963 – February 25, 1964
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:Ed Sanders
Golden Glovesheavyweight champion 1953
Next:Garvin Sawyer
World boxing titles
Preceded byFloyd Patterson
NYSAC heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Succeeded byCassius Clay(renamed Muhammad Alia few days later)
WBA heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
The Ring heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Undisputed heavyweight champion September 25, 1962 – February 25, 1964
Inaugural champion
WBC heavyweight champion July 22, 1963 – February 25, 1964

References

  1. Awarded inaugural title on July 22, 1963.
  2. Sources vary on his reach, with some listing it as 80½ in
  3. Cdnph.upi.com
    https://cdnph.upi.com/pv/upi/8316681fb3155f80bc55f065d88d1b0d/.jpg
  4. boxrec.com
    https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/File:1963-07-22_-_Sonny_Liston_vs._Floyd_Patterson_(Tale_of_the_tape).jpg
  5. "Sonny Liston vs Leotis Martin"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiTQsdgt9-w
  6. The Sportsman
    https://www.thesportsman.com/features/last-round-folks-when-boxing-s-invisible-champion-was-blitzed-by-the-big-bear1111
  7. "Top 30 Best Boxers of All Time (Updated 2023)"
    https://thekarateblog.com/best-boxers-of-all-time/
  8. Sonny Liston, The Champion That Nobody Wanted
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G30Cxyw9-UI
  9. The Fight City
    https://web.archive.org/web/20230718095646/https://www.thefightcity.com/top-12-all-time-most-intimidating-boxers/
  10. The Ring
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  11. M-baer.narod.ru
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  12. SI.com
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  13. TheSportster
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150825232944/https://www.thesportster.com/entertainment/top-25-greatest-boxers-of-all-time/
  14. The Sweet Science
    http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/1639-the-mysterious-birth-of-sonny-liston
  15. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Liston_Sonny.html
  16. The Devil And Sonny Liston
    https://archive.org/details/devilsonnyliston00tosc
  17. ""United States Census, 1940", Charlie I Liston in household of Tobbie Liston, Smith Township, Cross, Arkansas, United States""
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  18. The Sweet Science
    https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/a-birthday-for-sonny-liston/
  19. Reputations: Sonny Liston: The Champion Nobody Wanted (2001), 50 min, BBC Documentary
  20. Espn.com
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  21. King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero
  22. East Side Boxing
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  23. Liston and Ali: The Ugly Bear and the Boy Who Would Be King
  24. The Telegraph
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  25. Liston and Ali: The Ugly Bear and the Boy Who Would Be King
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  26. Boxing in America
  27. The Mad and the Bad: Boxing Tales of Murder, Madness and Mayhem
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  28. Jet
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  29. Ebony, August 1962
  30. Erkin, Lew. "Heavyweight Hopefuls", The Ring (magazine), August 1958.
  31. Sports Illustrated
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  32. Sports Illustrated
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  33. Boxing.com
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  34. Boxrec.com
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  35. The Sweet Science
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  36. Sports Illustrated Vault | Si.com
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  37. "Sonny Liston vs. Eddie Machen – BoxRec"
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  38. Sports Illustrated
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  39. Ellensburg Daily Record
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  40. "ESPN Classic – Liston was trouble in and out of ring"
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  41. Ocala Star-Banner
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  42. ESPN
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  43. Jet, October 3, 1963, pg. 57.
  44. Floyd Patterson: The Fighting Life of Boxing's Invisible Champion
  45. Ebony, August 1962, pg. 50
  46. Ebony, August 1962, pg. 52
  47. Mailer: A Biography By Mary V. Dearborn, page 186
  48. Sports Illustrated
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  49. Thesweetscience.com
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  50. Symbolic Leaders: Public Dramas and Public Men
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  51. Ebony August 1962, Page 52
  52. The Guinness World Championship Boxing Book
    https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldcha0000morr/page/150/mode/2up?view=theater&q=gate
  53. The New York Times
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  54. Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times
  55. RingTV.com
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  56. The Great Fights: A Pictorial History of Boxing's Greatest Bouts
    https://archive.org/details/greatfightspicto0000suga
  57. Boxrec.com
    http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Sonny_Liston_vs._Cassius_Clay_(1st_meeting)
  58. "1964 Clay vs. Liston Judges' Scorecards from Miami Beach Bout.... | Lot #80073 | Heritage Auctions"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20191010161110/https://sports.ha.com/itm/boxing-collectibles/memorabilia/1964-clay-vs-liston-judges-scorecards-from-miami-beach-bout/a/7115-80073.s
  59. Only the Ring Was Square, Teddy Brenner, 1981, Prentice Hall Trade
  60. Maule, Tex (March 9, 1964). "Yes, it was good and honest". Sports Illustrated: 20.
  61. Shaun Assael. The Murder of Sonny Liston: A Story of Fame, Heroin, Boxing & Las Vegas Pan publisher; 2017. (ISBN 9781509
  62. The Ring
    https://www.ringtv.com/395567-best-i-faced-muhammad-ali-1/
  63. Sports Illustrated
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  64. The Pittsburgh Press
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Hr0bAAAAIBAJ&pg=5939,5233942&dq=muhammad+ali+hernia&hl=en
  65. Gettysburg Times
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19640326&id=f_AcAAAAIBAJ&pg=7207,7452908
  66. Sports Illustrated
    https://www.si.com/boxing/2015/09/24/muhammad-ali-sonny-liston-ii-phantom-punch
  67. The Evening Independent
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19650526&id=JkRQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7195,4575914
  68. The Telegraph
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  69. Boxrec.com
    https://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Fight:19606
  70. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf2XfJoSzTc
  71. Boxingmemories.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220404002629/http://boxingmemories.com/2011/03/10/liston-was-trouble-in-and-out-of-ring/
  72. NDTVSports.com
    https://sports.ndtv.com/boxing/fifty-years-later-the-mystery-of-muhammad-ali-s-phantom-punch-1500057
  73. Shaun Assael. The Murder of Sonny Liston: A Story of Fame, Heroin, Boxing & Las Vegas. Pan, 2017. ( ISBN 9781509814831)
  74. News.google.com
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19700701&id=m4gfAAAAIBAJ&pg=991,129720&hl=en
  75. "Forty Years Ago: WBA Launches Heavyweight Tourney • East Side Boxing • News Archives"
    https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/113941
  76. Vice
    https://www.vice.com/en/article/requiem-for-a-heavyweight-the-mysterious-death-of-sonny-liston/
  77. Sports Illustrated
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121103150517/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1071618/index.htm
  78. Ringtv.com
    https://www.ringtv.com/346563-best-i-faced-george-foreman/
  79. "Sonny Liston the most talented Heavyweight in history"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ6jKejDP9U
  80. BoxingScene.com
    https://www.boxingscene.com/george-foreman-discusses-friendship-with-sonny-liston--47293
  81. Boxing News Archive
    https://www.boxing247.com/weblog/archives/109816
  82. Reemusboxing.com
    http://reemusboxing.com/sonny-liston-skills/
  83. Tss.ib.tv
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  84. The Greatest: My Own Story
  85. ESPN.com
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  86. Ringtv.com
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  87. "Liston KO'd Popular Patterson for Title" by Mike Puma ESPN Classic (November 19, 2003); retrieved November 20, 2019
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  88. SI.com
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  89. Boxing.com
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  90. "The Sad Legacy of Sonny Liston"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120321160337/http://www.aussiebox.com.au/dettloff2.html
  91. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-30-sp-49137-story.html
  92. Historyandheadlines.com
    https://www.historyandheadlines.com/december-30-1970-mysterious-death-sonny-liston/
  93. Biography.com
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  94. CNN
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  95. Jet, February 4, 1971, p. 51
  96. Boxing.com
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  97. Sports Illustrated
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  98. HBO Documentary Sonny Liston: The Mysterious Life and Death of a Champion
  99. Sonny Liston: His Life, Strife and the Phantom Punch
  100. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-22-sp-140-story.html
  101. Was 'Pariah' boxing legend Sonny Liston's OD really a mob murder? Michael Kaplan, New York Post (November 14, 2019)
    https://nypost.com/2019/11/14/was-pariah-boxing-legend-sonny-listons-od-really-a-mob-murder/
  102. Stuttgarter Amtsblatt No. 9, March 1, 2018, p. 8
  103. "Sonnyboyliston | Race Record & Form | Racing Post"
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  104. "Sonny Liston | Race Record & Form | Racing Post"
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  105. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWYamU2e2wU
  106. Sonny Liston Was a Friend of Mine: Stories
  107. Girl Fighter; First Edition
  108. The Art of the Beatles, Mike Evans, Ed. Anthony Blond (Muller, Blond & White), United Kingdom, 1984, ISBN 0-85634-180-0,
  109. "December 1963 cover"
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  110. The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Sixteen Original Works by Speculative Fiction's Finest Voices
  111. The Murder of Sonny Liston: Las Vegas, Heroin, and Heavyweights; First Edition
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