Charles "Sonny" Liston was found dead at his home by his wife, on January 5, 1971. His body was in an advanced state of decomposition. Police estimated he had probably died December 30, 1970. Traces of codeine and morphine, consistent with heroin breakdown, were found in his body. The cause of death was ruled as a heroin overdose. One puncture mark was found on his arm. People who knew Liston did not believe he died of heroin. He drank heavily but did not use drugs. He didn't like needles and had once refused a big-money European tour because he didn't want to take the shots required for visas. He had been hospitalized, briefly, after a car accident the week before his death. That could easily explain the puncture mark. Theories of what really happened usually center around Liston's Mob connections. They were many and they were long standing. I think that was it. Liston gambled heavily. There is no telling how much he owed and to whom. His money making days were behind him. His purse for the Wepner fight had only been $13,000. Gone were the days he could pick up a million or two for taking a dive. What do you think?
opioid overdose is rather difficult for abusers because as you take more your tolerance for respiratory depression increases so it could be that he took massive amounts of it and succumbed to respiratory failure if he used it sparingly before or never used it it was probably a combination of drugs and gang related stuff
If it is foul play, it will probably never be known what really happened to Liston. I think we will have to accept the fact.
Sonny wasn't a full-blown doper, and only used marijuana occassionally. Though many want to say the 'mob', that can be debated forever. Going by his assumed age (born in May 1927), Sonny was still relatively young at age 43. Despite conflicting reports, Sonny did not have a 'money issue', he was living a good life in Las Vegas. If you dig deeper, you will find that his death was attributed to heart muscle issues.
Sonny had developed 'high-blood pressure', and it could easily have been from 'heart failure'. This content is protected
If he didn't have money issues then why did he keep fighting for pennies? He was negotiating a Bonavena fight when he was found dead. He was quoted in the late 1950s saying he didn't like to box and wished he could do something else. His wife, Geraldine, wrote the same thing after his death.
I think we might find out. There are surely people who know what happened that are nearing the end. Sometimes people will talk when they know they don't have much time left and have nothing to lose. I think we might find out what happened to Jimmy Hoffa for the same reason.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought he was negotiating a bout with George Chuvalo before his death.
Correct,,,,,, George Chuvalo for March 1971, and in Pittsburg. The bout was supposed to be the 'live event' for the Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali 'closed circuit broadcast'.
