Patterson vs. Liston I

February 1962,

Before this fight ever got off the ground. It was originally scheduled for
New York, in June 1962.

Cus D'Amato wanted nothing to do with Sonny Liston.
But Floyd Patterson's lawyer, Julius November, wanted Sonny Liston next.

Patterson said, 'Liston may beat me, but I do not fear him'.
'Right now, plans are for me to fight Liston in June, and in New York'.

D'Amato's objection to Liston, is his management, he believes the rough Italian hand of Blinky Palermo, the Philadelphia racketeer, still controls Sonny as it did when Palermo's puppet, Pep Barrone, was managing
Liston.

At the moment, Cus D'Amato is doing everything in his power to prevent a Patterson-Liston fight.
He cares not a whit for Liston's drawing power at the gate; Patterson he says, can make as much money
fighting two or three lesser opponents.

Although Patterson's apparent decision to fight Liston, makes the questions of Liston's alleged mob ownership
somewhat academic. it is worth noting, that Blinky Palermo is back in Philadelphia. Currently he is out on
bail, appealing his case and 15-year sentence for conspiring to muscle in on boxing.

Morton Witkin, a Philadelphia attorney, who represents Sonny Liston (he also represented Blinky Palermo)
is anxious for the fight too. He stated, 'if Floyd Patterson wants to make one dime in 1962, he has
to fight Sonny Liston. Who else is he going to fight. If he doesn't fight Sonny, the public won't buy it'.

 

'What They're Saying About Sonny'

February 1962

John G. Bonomi, Special Assisstant Attorney General, New York State

I question whether Sonny Liston, as of now, should ever be licensed,
let alone get a shot at the Heavyweight Championship.
I don't believe he's shown any rehabilitation. Also, he has not
gotten rid of his underworld connections.

Here we have the spector of a possible heavyweight champion who is an example of how
you can get to the world championship regardless of your personal life - if you have
enough gangster support.

However, I don't think Liston should be barred forever. While I personally don't
excpect him to change that much, he could at least get rid of his gangster associates
and improve his record enough to fight for the title in the future.

If Sonny does beat Floyd, I could see him having a very long run, possible 5 to 7 years.
There is no one on the horizon that I could see beating this guy, but every fight
will be under scrutiny with his mob ties.
The first time there is an inconsistency, fingers will be pointed in Sonny's direction.
Oddly, Sonny doesn't even care, he flaunts it and he likes the aura of the under-world.

 

If Floyd didn't fight Sonny, he would have been matched with
Eddie Machen in June 1962.

With winner set up versus , the Zora Folley vs. Doug Jones fight.

1963, Harold Johnson, Cleveland Williams.

1964, Willie Pastrano, then Cassius Clay (late 1964)

 

Once New York would not sanction the bout, it was shifted to Chicago,
where the connected-crew had some pull.

The Liston vs. Patterson II bout was set for Miami Beach, in April 1963, but was
shifted to Las Vegas.

California wanted nothing to do with Sonny Liston.

 

JQ,

Money was the problem after the fight.
Sonny only got 12% of the gross net.
$312,000, but all of the money was tied up wit the I.R.S.

6-months after the fight, he had only received about $100,000 of his purse.
He was still owed $208,000, up to the Liston vs. Patterson II rematch.

 

Boxing commission reports have located one of Sonny Liston's contracts.

It appears that he his connected with 'not very wholesome' individuals.

Ownership of Sonny's contract
12%,,John Vitale
12%,,Blinky Palermo
52%,,Frankie Carbo
24%,, 'two' unidentified under-world individuals

Further investigation has determined, Sonny Liston does not even own 1% of himself.
He is,,,,,, by all accounts,,,,,,, nothing more than a salaried employee.

Investigator, Lawrence Harris has concluded.
All of the fight purse money is taken, and split into nice portions to these individuals.
In turn, Mr. Liston fights for nothing (or least not a % of the fight purse)

He is paid, how,
His training expenses are covered, including sparring partners and trainers
His rent is paid
His household expenses are covered
He has been given a car
And he gets weekly cash, as spending money

 

December 1961,

Following Sonny Liston's 1st Round KO of woefully-inept and serio-comic figure named
Albert Westphal, in a shameful promotion.

And Floyd Patterson's dissection of Tom McNeeley, a fighter that Cus D'Amato said,
had defined talent, and would be a dangerous opponent for any Heavyweight.

Problems still are here, as Sonny Liston's manager of record, Blinky Palermo is
out on $100,000 bail. As there may be a wisk of evil in the air, if the fight
between Patterson and Liston comes off.

Henry Cooper, knocked himself out of contention, by getting knocked out by
Zora Folley in 2 Rounds.

George Logan, a recent winner over Alejandro Lavorante is asking for a shot, but
he has been beaten thrice by athlete turned boxer, Tom McNeeley.

And undefeated Doug Jones, was just beaten by up-and-down Eddie Machen.

An outside fight maybe the winner of Archie Moore vs Robert CleRoux, scheduled for
December 5th in Toronto. But unfortunately that fight won't come off, as woeful
ticket sales will end a fight, whcih many said would have been an eliminator.