Anyone know anybody who had tickets to the cancelled fight at the Boston Garden. On Friday, November 13th, reports were that less than 2000 tickets were pre-purchased for the Heavyweight Championship. The Boston Garden could seat up to 16,000+ for prized fights. Sports Vision, Inc. the closed circuit promotion company had invested over $250,000 into theatre contracts, to secure the broadcast feed into 260 theatre's. Fred Brooks, the financial backer for the fight was $50,000 in the hole, out of his pocket. Inter-Continental Promotions, Inc. had invested $90,000 into pre-fight promotions and advertising. Muhammad Ali had spent upwards close to $50,000 for training and expenses. Sonny Liston had spent $35,000 of his own money, in preparation for this fight. Nothing was insured, and all monies spent were listed as losses. So going forward, for the re-scheduled fight, the whole group was starting with over $475,000 in the red (hole).
M-G-M, There were skeptics on why the fight was cancelled. 3-weeks before the fight, no one was really sure if this fight would come off. There was very little advertising at first. It was obvious, that the 'live gate' was going to be a disaster, and that the expected number of 14,000+ fight ticket purchasers and estimated $1,000,000 gate was not going to come any where near what they expected. Nobody cared about Muhammad Ali as the Champion. And Sonny Liston, with all his baggage was suprisingly more popular, even after the Miami Beach fight. Fred Brooks, the financial backer from New York, quietly discussed, that they would lose less money if they cancelled the fight, then if they went through with it. Miraculously, Muhammad Ali got a hernia on Friday the 13th.
Jack, The bout could not be rescheduled, at the Boston Garden, because of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins schedules, and play-offs. Plus, the Boston Garden had Fred Brooks non-refundable deposit, and signed contracts against loss of revenue.
Sounds like Muhammad Ali's hernia might have been a stunt that he pulled for the benefit of the financial backers of the promotion. It wouldn't be the first, or the last time such a thing has occurred.
Two-Fold, The hernia could have been contrived, to help everyone get out of the mess. If Sonny Liston pulled an injury claim, the promotion would have been dead on arrival. Of course, the reports that Sonny Liston was in the best shape of his life, also could have been more publicity, to stir up excitement. But, with the new tax-laws, it would have benefited the fighters greatly to fight in 1965, then in November 1964. For boxing purposes, it sure wouldn't have looked to good to have only 3000 people show up for a World Heavyweight Championship Fight, especially in the Boston Garden.
I've always heard that Sonny was ready to rip Ali in half in Boston. Then when the "hernia" came around Sonny basically lost all interest in the fight. Kind of like how some people argue that the delay in Zaire against Foreman took the mental edge away from George.
Harry Conrad was a brilliant fight publicist, and he could invent anything to draw interest in an event. Unfortunately, the Boston fight was going nowhere fast. Despite claims, that Sonny Liston was in unbelievable shape. Sonny did train hard, and was in good shape in November 1964. But a month later, in Denver, the guy spent Christmas Night in jail, due to driving will intoxicated. Reports were a bloated and disheveled middle-aged man. One hell of a turn-around, for a guy, only a month or so earlier, to be in prime condition.
