Plausible Reasons for Sonny Liston's Tank Job

Whether the fight was on the up-n-up or not, there are many plausible reasons why this happened.

Think outside the box, if you post a comment.

Of course this issue has been beaten to death, but I am putting several
'possible scenario's in the pictorial book.

1)
No casualty company would underwrite any fight with Sonny Liston involved in it.
That meant, anyone who wanted to promote a fight with Sonny Liston,
would put all the investment money at risk, with no loss protection.
No bond company would underwrite anything with Sonny Liston
associated with it.

Sonny Liston, as a World Champion and as a Contender in a Title Fight,
was basically uninsureable.

Though it wasn't Sonny Listons fault the November 16, 1964 fight in
Boston was cancelled, still with him being involved, their was a net loss
of $450,000+.

In the Life and Casualty Bond Companies, Sonny Liston's name had a phrase attached to it.
'Underwrite a Fight with Sonny, and the Company Will Lose Money, Honey'.

Without an underwriter to put up a Bond or Insure the Bout, that
meant, unless you were 'cash rich', you couldn't promote a 'big money'
fight.

2)
Escrow money. The LSG and Cassius Clay (before name change) had to put $150,000 of their February 1964
Fight Purse in escrow, to guarantee a return-bout.
Inter-Continental Promotions was the holder of that account.

One scenario was that I-C-P and Sonny Liston got to keep that money, as result of
Muhammad Ali pulling out of the November 16th bout in Boston.

Another one was, I-C-P and Sonny Liston got to keep the money and not reimburse LSG and
Muhammad Ali the $150,000, in return for a non-threatening performance in Lewiston, Maine.

 

3)
Sports Vision, Inc. (the closed circuit broadcaster and major financial arm) had
calculated that an Ali Vs. Patterson Title Fight would gross 5x more than
any possible Sonny Liston vs. an opponent combination, including a possible
Liston vs. Clay (Ali) III.

4)
All State Boxing Commissions (privately) wanted Sonny Liston and his under-world connections out. His group was bringing to much heat on everyone involved in boxing.

 

I wouldn't go as far to say Sonny Liston was controlled by anyone.
Was he associated with some of the 'underworld types',,,, yes.
I would say he was 'advised' by some factions of the 'syndicate'.

There is a link between St. Louis/Chicago/Philadelphia.

With the Chicago-base calling the shots, on an 'advisory-basis'.

It is apparent, that after the Ali - Liston II fight, he was pretty much on his own
in Denver.