'Cassius Clay Signs To Fight Sonny Liston'

Denver Hilton Hotel

Tuesday, November 5, 1963

'A Rueful Dream Comes True'

Cassius Clay has just signed a contract in a Denver Hotel, that states he
will challenge Heavyweight Champion - Sonny Liston for his title in February 1964,
and most likely in Las Vegas.

But quietly, one member of the LSG Management Team stated, 'We did not want
this fight, not now. It is too soon and too risky. This dream can turn into a nightmare,
and with it, our investment.'

But as soon as the ink dried on the fight contract, a letter from the United States
Army Draft Board arrived, summoning Cassius to a pre-induction physical.

A 'deferment' will undoubtedly take of that.

Cassius Clay, 'The Government will make a couple million dollars out of a
title fight, so they better be smart, and let me go. I am the savior of
boxing, so they'd better be careful with me.'

One boxing pundit questioned Cassius' talent stating, 'I have seen every
one of his 19 'so-so' fights, and I can honestly say that someone has
been sprinkling fulminating powder on him before he gets into the ring.
Hopefully that Angel will still be over him when he gets in the ring with Sonny.'

 

Monday - November 4, 1963

Denver, Colorado

The Champion - Sonny Liston gets a visitor, the day before the
press conference and contract signing with Cassius Clay.

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A couple of 'Country Gentlemen' heading to the press conference to
sign contracts.

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Actually,

The original contracts were signed in October 1963 - and were negotiated by
Gordon Davidson (Cassius Clay's Attormey) and William Faversham Jr. (President of the LSG Group),
at Attorney Davidson's office in Louisville, Kentucky.

The plan, was to get signed contracts for a Heavyweight Championship fight, to head off the
Louisville Draft Board, and apply for a deferment from induction into the U.S. Army.

It worked.

 

Tuesday - November 5, 1963

Hilton Hotel - Denver, Colorado

After the contract signing at the 'Press Conference', the fellows enjoy a nice lunch.

Cassius heading back to his seat, after helping himself to a 'double scoop'of vanilla ice cream
from the dessert table.

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'Liston and Clay Sign'

Jack Nilon, Manager for Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston said that
there have been submitted bids by several cities to hold the Heavyweight
Championship bout in February.

* Los Angeles
* Chicago
* Minneapolis
* Miami
* Las Vegas

Nilon stated, that Los Angeles has put up the best bid, led by United
Enterprises as their representative Joe Louis (former Heavyweight Champion)
brought a contract with him to the press conference.

George Parnassus from Los Angeles was also present, and he to will submit a bid.

It appears that the Champion will receive 40% of the Gross-Net receipts, and the
Challenger will receive 22.5%.

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November 7, 1963

Denver Restaraunt Owner, Milt Wilner has submitted a bid to promote the
Championship Bout.

Mr. Wilner has put together a syndicate with several other restaraunt owners from
New York, and has put a $1,000,000 bid for the live-gate receipts. Mr. Wilner has
brought with him a $500,000 deposit, for the promotional venue.

Mr. Wilner has stated, that the bout would be held at the Denver Auditorium Arena,
with a seating capacity of 13,000. - Mr. Wilner said that an obvious sell-out would be
expected, with gross revenues to exceed $1,200,000.

 

November 7, 1963

'Trouble In California'

Opposition to the Heavyweight Championship fight.

Sol Silverman, Chairman of the Governers Committee for Safeguards in Boxing, stated that the
Los Angeles promoters are 'wasting their time' if they think that they will get approval to stage
the Heavyweight Championship bout between Champion - Sonny Liston and Challenger - Cassius Clay.

Sol Silverman pointed out, 'Sonny Liston is not licensed in California, and the New York State
Athletic Commission has informed us that Mr. Liston is prohibited from fighting in their state.
New York officials have documentation which ties the Champion to current activity with 'criminal elements'.

The California Athletic Commission is also concerned about the qualifications of Cassius Clay, and
would like to see the Louisville fighter have at least one or two more bouts versus a Top Challenger,
ie; former Champions - Floyd Patterson or Ingemar Johansson.

Sol Silverman added, 'I don't understand the rush for this bout. No matchmaker thinks this bout should
go on. The odds for this fight have already opened up at 4-1 for the Champion, and will probably end up at
7-1. I have not met one boxing critic or pugilistic expert who thinks that Cassius Clay can even put
up a fight, let alone be competitive.'

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November 9, 1963

'California May Bar A Liston-Clay Mismatch'

Sol Silveramn said that he just received information from Chairman Hayward of the
New York State Legislative Committee, that the Champion has direct ties to
'underworld associates', and that any fight involving Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay
better be looked at under a 'high-powered microscope'.

Chairman Hayward stated, 'This bout has fraud written all over it. That is why we
don't want it anywhere near us.'

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November 8, 1963

Louisville, Kentucky (Associated Press)

Heavyweight Contender - Cassius Clay has been ordered to report for possible
Military Service, and the 21 year-old professional boxer may be drafted. He is
scheduled to appear on November 21, 1963 for a physical exam.

A spokesman for Cassius Clay stated, that the U.S. Selective Service Officials sent a
notice, informing Cassius Clay of the required appearance. It is possible, that Clay
may be inducted within 21-days after the physical exam.

William Faversham, Manager of the fighter stated, that he is planning to ask for a deferment.

When Cassius Clay was asked for a statement, the loquacious boxer said, 'Mr. Faversham
told me I won't have to go into the Army. Not if I am the Heavyweight Champion.'

 

November 11, 1963

Harry Markson, Boxing Matchmaker for Madison Square Garden.

'I don't think this bout is a 'mismatch', because Sonny Liston is not that good
anymore. For those who think that Sonny will carry Cassius for 5 or 6 Rounds
to make the bout look good are sadly mistaken. Sonny isn't that good to carry
Clay for that long.'

'I'm telling you, if Sonny doesn't get that kid out of there by the 4th round,
he will be in big trouble. He is too massive, his lumbering arms will be like
hanging branches in the winter by the 5th Round. And if Clay is still upright,
he will just jab him into submission.'

'The boxing experts say that I'm crazy or bold in my prediction, but I'm going
by my gut feeling, and I think this kid will stop Sonny by the 10th Round.'

 

'Liston And Clay Sign'

Though Sonny Liston and cassius Clay have signed to fight, no date or
venue have been set.

While Los Angeles in February 1964 appears to be the best setting,
Sol Silverman, representing California's Governer's Special Boxing Commission,
stated that the bout would be 'too dangerous to stage'.

Silverman, 'I have '11' former World Champion's to back up my beliefs. They have
all said to me, not to sanction this bout.'

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December 1963

Sonny Liston goes shopping for Christmas Presents.

Sonny was asked, while looking at a toy rocket ship/robot man, on just
what would he like to give Cassius Clay for Chistmas.

Sonny replied, 'A left hook to the moon.'

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