Did Sonny Liston have an idol as a boxer?

This. Even people who weren’t Black in the 40’s had a lot of respect for Joe Louis.

 

I heard Liston idolized Shannon Briggs for his "Let's Go Champ" catch phrase.

 

The two were seen sitting together on Feb 16 1964 on the Ed Sullivan Show during The Beatles second appearance on that Sunday weekly show. that was televised by CBS.. I heard that he did not care for Ringo Starr, stating that His Dog Could Play The Drums Better. Sullivan after introducing them said that the winner would be invited to the White House by then U. S President, Lyndon B. Johnson, no one was invited.

 

It’s all good.

There is a lot of BS and mythology involved in boxing so I can understand your scepticism. I find it plausible myself but not iron clad gospel either.

The article was one of the best ones I read in Sports Illustrated and that story stuck in my mind. I’m glad it was in the SI archives.

 

Sonny Liston's idol was Joe Louis. They both lived in Las Vegas the last years of their lives and hung out together until Liston's death.

Joe Louis shot heroin throughout the 60s. It has been said Liston started shooting heroin because his idol did. It was also a popular drug among jazz musicians during that period. Both Louis and Liston loved jazz and hung out with Miles Davis, who also shot heroin and loved boxing.

Liston eventually overdosed. Louis and Miles rehabbed.

 

I read that true fact in an autobiography of Joe Louis. Years after divorcing his wife Myra, he took up with a much younger female that injected him one day as he slept, this way Joe could support both habits at the same time. But the best thing was that he rehabbed, kicking that habit. I remember reading how he felt and craved the drug.

 

I watched a documentary the other night about the editor of Esquire magazine back then.

The Liston Christmas photo that appeared on Esquire's cover was highly controversial at that time. Today, you wouldn't give it a second look.

 

It could well be. That makes sense to me.

 

I don't really know if the ear story is exact or some poetic license is involved. I will say this much: I could see Joe doing that with Sonny, in a playful sort of way, with both men smiling. It's possible.

 

yeah, I am certain that Joe had a huge impact on the African American community that had and still may have a ripple effect all the years later. But he transcended cultural and racial lines of the day as well. Schmeling 2 was of huge import as an American, so yeah I agree his impact is beyond race.

 

Joe Louis was a great man and champion, he personified professionalism.