Liston's Death

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by billyb71, Aug 6, 2022.



  1. Jason Thomas

    Jason Thomas Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I have a question for people who know more about it than I do.

    How did Liston become addicted to heroin if he was afraid of needles? How did he ingest the heroin? What are the options with heroin other than by needle? This is an honest question from an ignorant person.

    Also, just my take. If he got into heroin, would his need and addiction eventually overwhelm his fear of needles?
     
  2. billyb71

    billyb71 Member Full Member

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    I don't think there is any evidence that he was addicted to heroine.
     
  3. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    *heroin. If he was addicted to heroine he would have had a WonderWoman fetish.
     
  4. billyb71

    billyb71 Member Full Member

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    You never know. It's been over 50 years ago. Any mobster involved is gone but there may be people still alive who know what happened. They may tell us on their death beds.
     
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  5. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    They'll have to get a move on, they'll be knocking on.
     
  6. Jason Thomas

    Jason Thomas Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You may be correct. I read part of his autopsy and about the "needle" marks.

    "These scars may have been caused by old traumatic injury but the possibility that they represent old needle puncture marks cannot be excluded. There is no external evidence of a recent needle puncture perforation in this location."

    So these might not even be needle marks at all, but the scars from an injury. And there is no evidence of recent needle usage.

    What did the autopsy say Liston died of.

    "The small arteries and arterioles in the heart show considerable collagenous intimal thickening."

    In other words, small blood vessel disease within the heart which caused a sudden heart attack.

    And use of drugs would exacerbate the condition.
     
  7. billyb71

    billyb71 Member Full Member

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    Liston had been hospitalized as the result of a car wreck earlier in December. Needle marks and morpheme in system could be because of that.
     
  8. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    At least that nurse and I in ICU after my open heart surgery on Jan 21 2020 got the chance to see him, he still had that bone chilling stare and then he winked at me, like I said I stood still, very stunned, so was she, as mentioned she was much older and stated she saw him on television many years ago. At least I knew that I was not just hallucinating.
     
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  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    There is a story (not saying it is true) that Joe Louis got Sonny Liston into heroin.
     
  10. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Born Again Gadfly Full Member

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    Joe Louis did nothing wrong you coward.
     
  11. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    Snorted and smoked.
     
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  12. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    He had heart disease and died in his forties. That kind of stuff is common.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2022
  13. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    So very possible, remember the underworld does not like unwarranted attention like from the FBI.
     
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  14. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Looks to me like Liston was throwing punches with mean intent throughout the first Ali fight,, and he landed with more than a couple.

    I find it hard to believe that was a fix. On the other hand, the second fight....
     
  15. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I've always thought it was very strange that Liston's wife went away over the Christmas and New Year period without him.

    Didn't she call her lawyer first after discovering his body and then the police a few hours later?

    I'm not saying she had any involvement in his death but I'm surprised that she was never talked about, then or now, as a potential suspect.
     
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