'Cassius Clay Signs To Fight Sonny Liston'

November 1963

Sonny Liston's South African Boxing Tour Cancelled

Sonny Liston was scheduled to have an 'exhibition boxing tour' in Cape Town,
South Africa and promoted by Mr. Shaik of South Africa.

The problem developed, when Major Hoffman of the South African Boxing Board questioned
the Champion's 'non-white' entourage. Mr. Hoffman said that he will ban the visit, and
he objected to the boxing tour, because of Liston's alarming personal record of arrests
and bad behavior.

Major Hoffman, 'There might be trouble with Liston, which would make world headlines,
and give adverse publicity to South Africa.'

Mr. Shaik, in Cape Town suggested that, he would welcome any other non-white Champion
to participate in a boxing tour in South Africa.

The Champion who cut his European Tour short in late-September 1963, said he had wanted
to visit South Africa before the end of the year.

The Champion said, 'If they don't want me in their country, there is nothing I can do about it.'