How old was Liston when he fought Ali the first time?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Slothrop, Oct 24, 2009.

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  1. Slothrop

    Slothrop Boxing Junkie banned

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    Thoughts?
     
    Slothrop, Oct 24, 2009
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  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    The arguments about this are endless. Thirty two according to boxrec, possibly early fifties accorind to the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

    32-35 seems about right.
     
    McGrain, Oct 24, 2009
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  3. Slothrop

    Slothrop Boxing Junkie banned

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    That would just be ****ed if he was in his late 40s or early 50s.
     
    Slothrop, Oct 24, 2009
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  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    He almost certainly wasn't. It's basically based upon fight reports for a "Sailor Liston" during the first world war that got that fifies rumour started and I can't see much merit in it aside from the common second name.
     
    McGrain, Oct 24, 2009
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  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I once watched a documentary on Sonny Liston, and according to some of the interviewees, Liston did not even know his true age. Sonny came from a financially broke family in the south during the 1930's consisting of 20+ children, and not all of whom were even born to the parents. His household was more of a foster home or orphanage if you will, rather than a typical American family setting, ( even for a black southern family during the depression. ) In those days, exceptionally poor families sometimes gave birth to children in their own homes, and not in hospitals or clinics. Additionally, it was common to have poor record keeping of birth dates or none at all..

    My take.....

    Some have listed Liston as being as old as 40 for the Clay fight, but I think this is a stretch. On the otherhand, he was reported as being around 32 by the tale of the tape, however he certainly looks a bit older to me on film and in photographs. I'm thinking 35-37 sounds reasonable, but again this is all guess work....
     
    mr. magoo, Oct 24, 2009
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  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Sonny definitely didn't know his exact age. He had arguments with reporters about it (which he generally won, but not neccessarily because he was right) and laterly carried a (probably forged) birth certificate to "prove" his age.

    In fact, controversy about his age took of in earnest for the first time in the build up to Ali I.
     
    McGrain, Oct 24, 2009
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  7. rm36

    rm36 Active Member Full Member

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    Probably around 32, definitely not late 30s or early 40s.
     
    rm36, Oct 24, 2009
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  8. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    turpinr, Oct 25, 2009
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  9. groove

    groove Well-Known Member Full Member

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    sonny looked like he was 40 when he was in his 20s. some people look a lot older than they actually are. 32 he was said to be for first fight v clay.
     
    groove, Oct 25, 2009
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  10. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I've always said 34 or so ...
     
    he grant, Oct 25, 2009
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  11. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    some fighters like Archie Moore and others had to make themselves older because they were too young to enter the amatuer ranks. Archie was acually younger than listed. Liston had an older face but did not appear to have gray hair up into the Leotis Martin fight. I would guess he was in his 30's, 32-38 but would not be suprised if he was older. Still I do not think age would be a factor vs Ali, it would be the difference in speed factor and mental resiliance.
     
    Bummy Davis, Oct 25, 2009
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  12. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    liston had a daughter in her late teens when he was a contender
     
    turpinr, Oct 25, 2009
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  13. bum of the week

    bum of the week Member Full Member

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    :bart
    No, he didn't! The girl in question was Geraldine Liston's daughter from her previous marriage.
     
    bum of the week, Oct 25, 2009
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  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He was 85 and used to spar with Peter Jackson.

    Ripe soil for more imaginary sproutings in the world of make believe.
     
    Seamus, Oct 25, 2009
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  15. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    'Sonny' - not his real name was born in 1910. Sonny Liston and Elmer Ray were actually 1 and the same, promoters told Elmer 'your not getting a title shot, not because your too good, or because your too black, but because your called Elmer, what sort of name is that for a title fight'. So Elmer changed his name to a bad ass name - Sonny Liston

    Young Sonny

    This content is protected

    Old Elmer
    This content is protected
     
    PowerPuncher, Oct 25, 2009
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