So - yesterday the 1950 US census became public and I tracked down Sonny Liston's entry. Wasn't expecting surprises - I assumed it would give his age as 20 or 22, consistent with other claims about his age around the same time. His age is given as... 27! So was he really 40 years old when he swatted Floyd Patterson like a bug for the second time? Was he 47 when he beat the stuffing out of Chuck Wepner? Was he actually 17, not 10, as listed in the 1940 census, or was he really Charles's elder brother Leo, having faked his reported death in 1947? There's another wrinkle to this. Looking closer, the 2 of 27 has clearly been written over a 1 (compare it with the 1 in Lawrence Grayes' age a few lines below). So did Sonny initially give his age as 17 (consistent with his later claims to have been born in May 1932), only to have that rejected because it would have meant that he was still a minor who shouldn't have been locked up with all these adult convicts? The man's life is one long list of mysteries. I have the strange sense of having learned something surprising, and yet knowing less than I did before. https://ibb.co/k8tCJcv
In my state, they'll send you to the Big House as young as 14 for serious violent offenses. Which they should IMO.
Suddenly Gallender doesn’t look so crazy! As of right now the 1930, 40, and 50 census all contradict each other when it comes to Liston’s age.
"CHARLES (SONNY) LISTON v was on cortisone for five days immediately prior to his ill-fated title defense on Feb. 25, according to a report released Tuesday by the Senate Antitrust and Monopoly subcommittee. prepared by the State's attorney's office of Dade county, the report quoted Liston's adviser and personal physician as saying that Listen also was under going physiotherapy for pains in his left, arm for an 8 day Period before the fight. The Miami boxing Commission was not notified of the treatment, the report said. After the fight, according to the report, Dr. Lester Russin and other doctors at Miami's St. Francis Hospital confirmed Liston's injury as an inflamed tendon in his left arm. Dr. Russin was quoted as saying the condition was "particularly prevalent In older athletes. "The report said that Dr. Russin estimated Liston's actual age as between 38 and 41. The former champion has listed himself as 30 years old." Source:https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98505474/the-philadelphia-inquirer/
To paraphrase the Jonathan Swift: quote: "He was as old as his tongue and a little older than his teeth." How old was Liston is the forever perennial question.
"But I do say I think Liston is a lot older than the 29 years they call him He locks to me like he's at least 40 and I never miss in calling a fighter's age" -Tony Galento Source: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98910201/bartlesville-examiner-enterprise/ Their are also claims dating back to at least 1963, that Galento used Liston as a sparring partner.
If this census does give the accurate age of Liston, then his achievements in the squared circle surely should be judged accordingly, a tough old warrior for sure.
Wouldn't surprised if the 1923 birth date is correct. From looking at Liston's pictures available online I don't see any where I would think he is a 20s-mid 30s age man. In all of the pictures I saw, he looked much older than his opponent, and he looked to be at least late 30s. There is a picture of Walcott as the referee and Liston and Ali all together during the second fight. Liston looks as old as Walcott and looks like he is old enough to be Ali's father. If he was born in 1923, he would be the same age as Marciano.
It's not exactly hard to believe is it. It begs the question, if true, how good would Liston have been if he started his pro career a decade earlier. c__k will have an aneurysm when he see's this.
I agree Liston would've been that much better had he started his career earlier. But also, it's crazy that while it's not hard to believe now, if you said it 2 days again, you would've been the laughing stock on this forum!
