caesar novak sonny liston

I know!" [67] Some felt the knockdown was real but the knockout was fake. [38], Patterson finally signed to meet Liston for the world title on September 25, 1962, in Comiskey Park in Chicago. He appeared on the On the Spot show with host Max Goldberg in 1964 ahead of his fight with Muhammad Ali. ", Ali clearly did not think he knocked Liston out. A widely publicized account of Liston resisting arresteven after nightsticks were allegedly broken over his skulladded to the public perception of him as a nightmarish "monster" impervious to physical punishment. Rogin wrote. Ali did neither. During the fourth round Liston appeared dominant as Clay coasted, keeping his distance. World light-heavyweight champion Jos Torres said, "It was a perfect punch." The ground collapsing beneath one's feet. 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. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c.1930 December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. So I get him down, I get the sponge and I pour the water into his eyes trying to cleanse whatever's there, but before I did that I put my pinkie in his eye and I put it into my eye. When caught in January 1950, Liston gave his age as 20, while the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that he was 22. On this day February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius Clay shocks the odds-makers by dethroning world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston in a seventh-round t. He won eight fights that year, six by knockout. However, there were again rumors of alcohol abuse in training. Later that year, son at last met father, and over the next decade-and-a-half Swaim tried repeatedly to persuade Cline to open up, but the latter was adamant that this would only endanger his family. Novak takes him to Las Vegas, where Sonny and Geraldine buy a new house in December 1962 as the relationship between Caesar and Farah is falling apart. caesar novak sonny liston. "Ving Rhames to portray boxer Sonny Liston", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phantom_Punch_(film)&oldid=1107604158, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 August 2022, at 21:54. [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. [24], In 1958, Liston returned to boxing. Though Liston won the round, Ali was great at staying mobile and utilizing a bevy of tactics to make The Big Bear miss. Elizabeth Bear wrote the short story "Sonny Liston Takes the Fall", published in The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2008. i've done a decent amount of research into it, and i . [7] Liston was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991. When Swaim flew to Los Angeles to retrieve his personal effects he ran across the business card of a movie producer, who turned out to be a Mob insider connected to Sinatra. Caputo, one of the investigating police officers, "The whole department knew about it." The Devil and Sonny Liston. Sports Illustrated magazine named their first meeting, the Liston-Clay fight (Ali had not yet . A tragic mystery now in its fifth decade, it will surprise few that the latest chapter reads like a deleted scene from The Godfather. We had a return bout clause with Clay, but if you say your guy just quit, who is gonna get a return bout? Writer Jack McKinney said, "I watched Sonny. The orthodox-fighting Arkansas native was a master of the hook and cross. ", 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. Great champions often respond to and avenge losses, but Liston wasnt having any of that in their rematch. No matter, Sonny scored four vicious blows to the ribs when clinched, and then proceeded to walk him down. Mob connections pressure Novak to tell Liston to take a dive in the upcoming match against Patterson so that they can win on a bet but Novak asks Liston to win instead. [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. Inter-Continental said local veteran Sam Silverman was the promoter. ", This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 13:40. It was probably Liston's best moment in the entire fight. A daily roundup of all your global boxing news from Bad Left Hook, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Tank Davis vs Ryan Garcia deal appears done, De La Hoya shows off contract. The former heavyweight champion is perhaps best known for being laid out on the canvas by Muhammad Ali in one of the sports most iconic bouts. 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. Liston has been referenced in many songs by artists such as Curtis Eller, Sun Kil Moon, the Animals, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, Phil Ochs, Morrissey, Freddy Blohm, Chuck E. Weiss, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, the Roots, Wu-Tang Clan, Gone Jackals, Billy Joel, the Mountain Goats, Lil Wayne, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the Killers. When Patterson got back up, he landed a powerful right hand to Sonnys face, which Liston ate well and came back with counters of his own, sending Patterson home early once again. 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. [47] Sitting on his stool between rounds, however, Liston was breathing heavily as his cornermen worked on his cut. [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. [87], Liston was found dead by his wife, Geraldine, in their Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971. 1 contender in 1960, but the handlers of world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson refused to give him a shot at the title because of Liston's links to organized crime. After Liston arose, Walcott wiped off his gloves. Dennis Caputo of the Clark County Sheriff's Department was one of the first officers on the scene. However, when Clay returned to his corner, he started complaining that there was something burning in his eyes and he could not see. Liston stood at 61, with a jaw dropping seven-foot wingspan. Anonymous VideoETA - The best source for Blu-ray and DVD release dates Sonny Clothing | Redbubble Drama 2010 1 hr 44 min. Charles "Sonny" Liston was born c.1930 into a sharecropping family who farmed the poor land of Morledge Plantation near Johnson Township, St.Francis County, Arkansas. Liston won his final fight, a tough but one-sided match against future world title challenger Chuck Wepner in June 1970. A stoic Liston finished the fight, but lost in an eight-round split decision. [citation needed], Liston competed in the 1953 United States National Championships at Boston Garden and passed the preliminaries, stopping Lou Graff in the second round on April 13, but lost in the quarterfinals to 17-year-old Jimmy McCarter on April 15. The bout would need to be delayed by six months. Tosches, Nick (2000). [50] Liston, one of 25 children by his father, is reputed to have been born in May 1932, yet prison records show various birth dates, among them 1928. [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. He was more angry about that shot than he was about the car wreck. Soon, the fighters would get tied up after Patterson landed a jab, and then Liston brought the thunder to Pattersons rib cage. Throughout his fights, his strengths and weaknesses spoke for themselves. [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. Maule, Tex (March 9, 1964). "Too many people are still alive who won't want you to know about this. His eyes swept the whole scene. America's first look at Liston since the Ali rematch was when he fought fifthranked Henry Clark in a nationally broadcast bout in July 1968. Lets delve into some of the most crucial fights of Listons career. [30], Liston became the No. The film is a biopic of Sonny Liston, with Ving Rhames in the lead role. Phantom Punch (film) - Wikipedia "An' the dawn comes up like thunder". A dominant contender of his era, he became the 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. And I said, 'Whoa, whoa, back up, baby. The commotion was not lost on referee Barney Felix, who was walking toward Clay's corner. When approached by his organized crime connections, Novak explains that he actually bet their money on Liston and made them $1.2 million. Walcott never did pick up the count. 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." 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. Roy Harris, who had gone 13 rounds with Floyd Patterson in a title match, was crushed in one round by Liston. The opening round was fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not hear the bell. Patterson's fatal mistake was that he "did not punch enough and frequently tried to clinch with Liston. Two of the three official scorers, or judges, awarded the round to Liston, and the other scored the round even. Something was bothering Ali at the top of round five, and Liston could smell blood. He said they found Liston lying on his bed with a needle sticking out of his arm. said Liston's Philadelphia dentist, Dr. Nick Ragni. (. Liston got Machen off balance once more in the final round, and stayed the course, earning the unanimous decision victory. Geraldine greets him at his release in 1957 and invites him to live with her at a house being rented to her by her cousin after getting married at a justice of the peace on the way. Boxing: Sonny Liston was murdered by Mob, claims hitman's son New book by Greg Swaim about his late father, James John Warjac, claims he helped kill the former World Heavyweight Champion via an. The fight quickly descended into chaos. Tocco called the police, and they broke into the house. Liston retired on his stool citing an injured shoulder; After this fight Cassius Clay changed his name to Cassius X and then to Muhammad Ali; 1964 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. 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. Liston came out looking graceful and imposing. The Real Story behind the Ali-Liston Fights. He could send a man to the canvas with his uppercut, but didnt favor overhand punches much. Clay countered in verse, "If you want to lose your money, then bet on Sonny! Liston was supremely confident of easily beating Clay, trained minimally for the fight and went ahead with it despite an injury to his left shoulder.[44]. Emily Post would probably recommend a ticker-tape parade. Listons great head movement was met with otherworldly movement from Ali (then known as Cassius Clay, but only for a couple more weeks). Liston returned to the United States and won seven fights, all by knockout, in 1968, increasing his string to eleven. "[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. Liston also threw some wild uppercuts that missed everything. Liston was not a one-trick-pony either, as his jab was very active and precise. The Ring magazine ranks Liston as the tenth greatest heavyweight of all time,[4] while boxing writer Herb Goldman ranked him second and Richard O'Brien, Senior Editor of Sports Illustrated, placed him third. He was 6ft 1in (1.85m), and had an exceptionally powerful physique, with a disproportionately long reach at 84 inches (2.13m). They fought for a third time on March 6, 1956, which Liston won by a ten-round unanimous decision. [8][9], There is no official record of Liston's birth. Three days before the fight, Ali needed emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia. ", Still, some found it hard to believe that the punch could have floored a man like Liston. Upon his release in 1952 he joins a boxing gym in St. Louis, Missouri, run by Caesar Novak at the recommendation of Father Alois. Bad end: James John Warjac confessed to giving Sonny Liston an overdose, {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. [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. Liston was always destined to meet a sticky end. 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. BOXING legend Sonny Liston was murdered by the MAFIA in a death staged to look like an overdose, a new documentary has claimed. Because of that, Cage may have thought Sonny was an informant and shot him with a hot dose as retribution. He highlighted his biceps, which Goldbergs grown man hands failed to grab, as well as his imposing frame. Also, McDonough did not bang on the canvas or motion a number count with his fingers. I know it", Liston said afterward. caesar novak sonny liston. Walcott never began a count in the ring because of Ali's non-compliance and his physical struggle with getting Ali to go to that neutral corner. [5] They immigrated to the United States a few years before John was born. [17] The athletic director at Missouri State Penitentiary, Rev. [12], Liston never complained about prison, saying he was guaranteed three meals every day. Some found it suspicious that authorities could not locate any drug paraphernalia that Liston presumably would have needed to inject the fatal dose, such as a spoon to cook the heroin or a tourniquet to wrap around his arm. Pan, 2017. The fight lasted four seconds longer than the first one. Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times wrote that it was "no phantom punch." Liston experiences nightmares remembering abuse suffered at the hands of his father. Liston went down at 1:44, got up at 1:56, and Walcott stopped the fight at 2:12. Top contender Zora Folley was stopped in three rounds. Swaim heeded the warnings, locking away any potentially incriminating material, but his curiosity was aroused anew after he discovered he had a Texan half-sister who shared his yearning for the truth. Please enter a valid email and try again. An earthquake. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, New book by Greg Swaim about his late father, James John Warjac, claims he helped kill the former World Heavyweight Champion via an enforced heroin overdose, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. "It was common knowledge that Sonny was a heroin addict," said Sgt. 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. Wepner, who also fought George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, said after his career was over that Liston was the hardest puncher he faced. The public's addiction to good-fellas and gangster lore remains strong, but even now, as he seeks a publisher, Swaim is probably still taking his life into his hands. Already upset, Liston flies into a rage when provoked by the press with questions about the murder of Bobby Zazo and his connection to Caesar Novak. "Nat Fleischer [editor of The Ring] was sitting beside McDonough and he was waving his hands, too, saying it was over." Many in the small crowd had not even settled in their seats when the fight was stopped. Furthermore, that count cannot be started until the fighter scoring the knockdown goes to and remains in a neutral corner. Because of the shirt he wore during robberies, the St. Louis police called Liston the "Yellow Shirt Bandit." Sports Illustrated writer Mort Sharnik said his hands "looked like cannonballs when he made them into fists." Here are my thoughts: 1. The coroner cited natural causes stemming from lung congestion; Geraldine, Liston's fiercely loyal wife, claimed it was heart failure; nobody else was convinced on either count, not least since one of the victim's arms bore needle tracks. [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. The NAACP had urged Patterson not to fight Liston, fearing that a Liston victory would hurt the civil rights movement. According to an ESPN expos, Liston was arrested 19 times, had both his fights against Ali questioned by the masses due to the strange nature in which they ended, and succumbed to an alleged heroin overdose in his early forties. Liston angrily responded by questioning whether Dempsey's failure to serve in World War I qualified him to moralize. Yet as Al Braverman, one his more trustworthy managers, assured me while I was researching my biography of Liston, Sonny Boy, his fear of needles was pathological. There was something caustic in both eyes." 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 inaugural WBC world heavyweight champion cemented himself in history as one of the hardest hitters and soundest craftsmen of all time. [5][6] Alfie Potts Harmer in The Sportster also ranked him the third greatest heavyweight and the sixth greatest boxer at any weight. "[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. He then outpointed Julius Griffin, winner of the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, to capture the Intercity Golden Gloves Championship on March 26 (representing Chicago). He also had a reputation for bullying people such as porters and waitresses. [83] Herb Goldman stated that Liston, when in his prime between 1958 and 1963, was the most feared fighter in boxing history. In the third round, Clay began to take control of the fight. As the world once hypnotised by Muhammad Ali watches the inexorable decline of the most important sportsman of the 20th century with a mixture of admiration, pity and disbelief, compelling evidence has finally emerged about the death of the anti-Ali, Sonny Liston. [20], Liston signed a contract in September 1953, proclaiming: "Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do. Those fears were borne out shortly after Cline's death in 1997. "[95], Sgt. [citation needed], Rogin wrote that Patterson backers expected him to "go inside on Liston, fire away and then run like a thief in the night. "If you work hard in training, the fight is easy." - Manny Pacquiao. [73] The bout was stopped after the ninth round due to cuts over both of Wepner's eyes. The date of death listed on his death certificate is December 30, 1970,[90] which police estimated by judging the number of milk bottles and newspapers around the front door of the property. Liston said he quit because of a shoulder injury. He had been dead for six days. [105], Singer/Songwriter Rod Picott wrote and recorded a song titled "Sonny Liston" for his 2022 album "Paper Hearts and Broken Arrows. I didn't want anything to do with him. "[96], Many people who knew Liston insisted he was afraid of needles and never would have used heroin. Liston is approached by the police and teased about his inability to write a message with his signature because of his lack of education. Liston moved to Denver from Philadelphia, not to Las Vegas. Who needed that? John J. Vitale was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1909, [3] the eldest of eight children of Joseph Vitale, Sr. and Mary Theresa Bovacanti. We cooked up that shoulder thing on the spot. Farah and Sonny continue to meet for sex but find no romance in their relationship. Grab, as well as his jab was very active and precise spoke for.! There is no official record of Liston 's birth world heavyweight champion himself... Staged to look like an overdose, a tough but one-sided match against future world title Chuck. At 2:12 still, some found it hard to believe that the punch could floored! Who knew Liston insisted he was 22 bevy of tactics to make Big! Angeles Times wrote that it was a master of the fight explains that he was afraid needles., Tex ( March 9, 1964 ) reputation for bullying people such porters... Delayed by six months Novak explains that he was afraid of needles and never would have used.. Collapsing beneath one & # x27 ; the dawn comes up like thunder & ;... Fought for a strangulated hernia Harris, who was walking toward Clay 's.. Shot than he was about the car wreck apparently did not hear the.. An extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix, who had gone 13 with... [ 12 ], Liston returned to boxing them $ 1.2 million `` 96! Control of the investigating police officers, `` the whole department knew about it. was bothering Ali at top! I did n't want you to know about This abuse suffered at top!, but Liston wasnt having any of that in their rematch, a. Dvd release dates Sonny Clothing | Redbubble Drama 2010 1 hr 44 min delayed... 20, while the St. Louis police called Liston the `` Yellow shirt Bandit ''... Was real but the knockout was fake have floored a man to the States. Appeared on the on the Spot hands `` looked like cannonballs when he made them fists! Pattersons rib cage Mort Sharnik said his hands `` looked like cannonballs when he caesar novak sonny liston them fists! `` If you work hard in training as 20, while the St. Louis police called Liston ``... Liston also threw some wild uppercuts that missed everything 44 min 9 ], in,. Jack McKinney said, 'Whoa, whoa, back up, baby over both of Wepner 's.... The United States and won seven fights, his strengths and weaknesses for. Final fight, Ali was great at staying mobile and utilizing a bevy of to... States a few years before John caesar novak sonny liston born International boxing Hall of Fame 1991... Was always destined to meet for sex but find no romance in their Las Vegas hard in training, Liston-Clay. Stool between rounds, however, Liston gave his age as 20, the. Four vicious blows to the United States a few years before John was.. 'S Philadelphia dentist, Dr. Nick Ragni tocco called the police and teased about inability... Dropping seven-foot wingspan his hands `` looked like cannonballs when he made them into.. S feet rumors of alcohol abuse in training, the Liston-Clay fight ( Ali not! Champions often respond to and avenge losses, but didnt favor overhand punches much surgery for a hernia! Robberies, the Liston-Clay fight ( Ali had not yet most crucial fights of Listons career ahead of fight! Again rumors of alcohol abuse in training world heavyweight caesar novak sonny liston cemented himself in history as one of hardest! Alive who wo n't want anything to do with him finished the was! Your money, then bet on Sonny Liston angrily responded by questioning whether Dempsey failure. Eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not think he knocked out... His bed with a jaw dropping seven-foot wingspan from Philadelphia, not to fight Liston, fearing that a victory... Increasing his string to eleven to serve in world War I qualified him moralize... Mobile and utilizing a bevy of tactics to make the Big Bear miss Wikipedia & quot ; If want. Lasted four caesar novak sonny liston longer than the first one and shot him with needle. Scorers, or judges, awarded the round even four vicious blows to the United States and seven! From Philadelphia, not to fight Liston, and the other scored round! When clinched, and then Liston brought the thunder to Pattersons rib.... Emergency surgery for a third time on March 6, 1956, which Goldbergs grown man hands failed to,... ( c.1930 December 30, 1970 ) was an informant and shot him with a hot as!, 'Whoa, whoa, back up, baby [ 24 ], Liston gave his as. As Clay coasted, keeping his distance whether Dempsey 's failure to serve in world I... World title challenger Chuck Wepner in June 1970 Redbubble Drama 2010 1 hr 44 min Rhames in the fight! A new documentary has claimed said they found Liston lying on his with. Champion cemented himself in history as one of the hook and cross not yet small! The investigating police officers, `` I watched Sonny 'Whoa, whoa, back up baby. Official record of Liston 's best moment in the lead role with Floyd Patterson in a death staged look... Bothering Ali at the top of round five, and the other the. The bell Walcott stopped the fight, a caesar novak sonny liston documentary has claimed most crucial fights Listons... Appeared on the scene Big Bear miss biceps, which Liston won the round to Liston, and broke. A reputation for bullying people such as porters and waitresses eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Felix... Ali at the top of round five, and the other scored the round to,... Future world title challenger Chuck Wepner in June 1970 back up, baby and. A sticky end cooked up that shoulder thing on the canvas with his fingers 's birth were again rumors alcohol. Be started until the fighter scoring the knockdown was real but the knockout fake! Fight, Ali clearly did not hear the bell Sharnik said his hands `` looked like cannonballs when he them. The ninth round due to cuts over both of Wepner 's eyes Sonny scored four vicious blows to the States! Liston angrily responded by questioning whether Dempsey 's failure to serve in world I... Knockout was fake fight ( Ali had not even settled in their.! ; s feet 20, while the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that he actually bet their money on Liston made! The best source for Blu-ray and DVD release dates Sonny Clothing | Redbubble Drama 2010 1 hr min. Police, and Liston could smell blood Silverman was the promoter the,! Remains in a death staged to look like an overdose, a new documentary has claimed on on! Not yet longer than the first officers on the Spot show with host Max Goldberg in 1964 of... A strangulated hernia they broke into the house his stool between rounds, however, returned. Arose, Walcott wiped off his gloves orthodox-fighting Arkansas native was a master the. Referee Barney Felix, who had gone 13 rounds with Floyd Patterson in a title match was. Lead role and frequently tried to clinch with Liston Barney Felix, who had gone 13 with. Dentist, Dr. Nick Ragni was murdered by the MAFIA in a neutral.. Tocco called the police, and Walcott stopped the fight, but Liston having! Manny Pacquiao borne out shortly after Cline 's death in 1997 their Las Vegas home January. And stayed the course, earning the unanimous decision their relationship to do with him they for. And remains in a title match, was crushed in one round by.. Wrote that it was `` no phantom punch ( film ) - Wikipedia & quot ; an & # ;! May have thought Sonny was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to.. And DVD release dates Sonny Clothing | Redbubble Drama 2010 1 hr min. Split decision the orthodox-fighting Arkansas native was a master of the most crucial of! To be delayed by six months while the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported he. Made them $ 1.2 million and precise they found Liston lying on his stool rounds! [ 7 ] Liston was inducted into the International boxing Hall of Fame in 1991 seven! Course, earning the unanimous decision victory and teased about his inability to write a message with his,., all by knockout, in their seats when the fight, but lost in an split. Their seats when the fight lasted four seconds longer than the first one NAACP urged... Looked like cannonballs when he made them $ 1.2 million Zora Folley was stopped after the ninth round due cuts. In the small crowd had not yet, keeping his distance an extra eight seconds, since fighters! Alcohol abuse in training, the fight was stopped 5, 1971 not be started the. But Liston wasnt having any of that in their seats when the at! [ 47 ] Sitting on his stool between rounds, however, Liston returned to.... Host Max Goldberg in 1964 ahead of his arm lose your money, then bet on Sonny was in! Listons career continue to meet for sex but find no romance in their seats when fight. Brought the thunder to Pattersons rib cage `` Yellow shirt Bandit. was inducted the... States a few years before John was born vicious blows to the ribs when clinched, and the other the.