Just got the Sonny Liston biography, the "Night Train"

obviously liston could be evil with his power out of the ring at times (like lamotta) but this is an example of where i root for his strength.

sad part is, this dignifed strength had its limits. evil overcame it. liston was later bullied by mob bosses. someone told him that they could be on the phone in 10 minutes and have a hit on liston. made me sad to see a scumbag who wouldn't last 10 seconds with liston in a fair fight actually bully him.

we know the story of the irish leprechauns in a pub who bullied liston. one little man said to liston that you may be able to take me but the 20 other guys in here will come for you. liston walked away. i wonder what instigated that confrontation. racism? if it was even remotely fair...2 of those midgets vs. liston...it would be dignified...

it just shows that even great power has its limits...you gotta be nice, mind your own business,and use your strength intelligently and only when necessary....because you can't watch your back every second (and even if you did that's not a life worth living)

 

I dont buy it. Gang leaders are leaders, meaning they get other people to do their dirty work. Does anyone really believe a gang leader is going to go into "the hole" by himself and duke it out with Liston? These guys would more than likely have just gotten someone to shank him when he wasnt looking.

 

Sonny Liston was tough. Very Tough. He was Bad Ass. However, because he went to prison, crazy people kinda gave him the creeps a little. Not mean looking people, "Crazy" people. Liston viewed Cassius Clay as one of those "Crazy" people.

 

Didnt you read it, all three were the gang leaders. Not one gang leader and 2 burley henchmen. I stand by my ascertion that its probably bull****. More to the point, even if it did happen odds are Liston wouldnt have made it out of prison without at least some serious wounds to show for it.

 

Ive heard this theory before as well. Since when does prison make people afraid of crazy people. Prison is full of certifiable lunatics. This has always been used as an out for people who want to believe that it was Ali and only Ali who beat Liston, not the black muslims, the mob, or any other outside forces intimidating him into throwing the fight.

 

mythmaking bull****... wake me up when it's over.

 

very disapointed with it. I remember reading in it an IBC guy saying the totaly bogus remarc that the marciano v moore fighht was fixed so that marciano could retire unbeaten and the author does not question this!!!!! basicly ruined the whole book for me. it runs away with the idea that the ibc chose who was a champion etc. however well nick toches writes for him not to question that bull**** shows the guy is not an authentic boxing guy. what example does that leave kids?