After losing the rematch with Ali, Sonny took a year and a little change off, then embarked on a comeback in, of all places, Sweden. He fought there four total times in 1967-68, beating German soft touch Gerhard Zech, a somewhat useful Amos Johnson (had won six of his last eight with a draw against Karl Mildenberger and a DQ loss to Brian London), Dave Bailey (opponent type who somehow found a little life losing on the Euro circuit; his only win in his last several fights before Sonny being a KO of Zech), and Elmer Rush, who never did anything of note (although he defeated Amos Johnson — lot of cross-pollination with these guys). I realize that Sonny was persona non grata in the U.S. after the public’s suspicions on both Ali fights, particularly the rematch. And I realize he drew a big crowd for his first fight in Sweden, where he would certainly have had a curiosity factor (and was, after all, a former world champ). But why Sweden of all places? Ingemar Johansson was the only guy of note from there and he was well settled into retirement. And it’s not like they built Sonny up to have him fight a local attraction who they thought could be their next champ. He didn’t even fight the upper crust of the Euro heavyweight scene while ‘summering’ there. By middle of 1967 he was back in the USA, fighting in Arizona and California, and he would go on to have bouts scattered across the USA before his untimely and unfortunate death. I’d welcome any insight that our resident historians can provide.
I don't know why he chose sweden. Maybe he liked the fighters they had there, thought they'd be easy and needed money?
Have you ever seen any Swedish women? Ingrid Bergman for example? I believe I've addressed the issue for you.
Nice country, well-built ladies, and the connection with Johansson is that boxing was a big sport there because of him.
When Ingo won the title, there was a boxing boom in Sweden. Floyd spent time there and was a big star. (Patterson was probably the second-most popular boxer/athlete in Sweden at the time, only behind Johansson.) Liston spent time there, as was noted. Sometimes places become a hot spot for boxing. Then they go away. Sweden banned pro boxing in 1970. South Africa was a big location for boxing for a while. Monaco was a big location for a while. Arum tried to make China a location for a while. Saudi Arabia seems to be taking a swing currently.
I think the reason that Sonny Liston went over there was that there was a lot of controversy following the rematch with Muhammad Ali in 1965. A lot of boxing commissions did not want to revisit the stench that the rematch left. Remember Sonny Liston was still controlled by the underworld. Ali was the universally recognized World Heavyweight Champion, Ernie Terrell was the WBA World Heavyweight Champion, having defeated Eddie Machen. Cleveland Williams had been shot by a Texas State Trooper in late 1964. Floyd Patterson had defeated the likes of Eddie Machen and Sante Amonti in 1964. Floyd was not interested in fighting Ernie Terrell, instead he opted to fight George Chuvalo, on Feb 1 1965, he defeated Chuvalo by unanimous decision. Sonny used to say that Terrell hugs more than he hugged his wife. It should be known, Terrell was also associated with the underworld, his manager. That fact prevented the title unification between Ali and Ernie, scheduled for March 29 1966, but instead it would later be Ali vs Chuvalo, Ali won by unanimous decision. Ali would have to wait to fight Terrell in 1967. Sonny virtually had to leave home to fight. It was much the same thing as Ali's European Tour after his, I Ain't Got No Quarrel With Them Viet Kong. Sonny piled up wins against second rate fighters, Yank Durham and Eddie Futch did not want Joe Frazier near Sonny. Liston was not even invited to the WBA Tournament in 1967. Sonny was stopped in round 9, in Dec 1969, by Leotis Martin, it was televised on ABC's Wide World Of Sports.
I believe so, I know that Karl Mildenberger was the European Heavyweight Champion. Henry Cooper was the British Empire Heavyweight Champion.
The women? Lol...Liston was married right...call me naive I guess anyway rich pretty much explained it...let the Ali fights blow over and come back with a bigger record and time well spent staying busy while raising your star power abroad Something must of struck a chord while living in Sweden too.... seeing as Liston adopted a swedish child IIRC...unless that was Floyd?...idk I'm too lazy to look it up
He was suspended by every commission in the U.S. i believe. He could re-apply to box there mid 66 when his initial suspension ended. He was low on cash and also wanted to stay active. Ingemar Johansson actually helped him out and set things in motion after being contacted by one of Liston's friends. Liston was signed to a multi fight deal by Ingemar and his business party. Liston also did numerous exhibitions set up by Johansson. The good Ingo did for Sonny cannot be understated. He made very good money over there and kept active during a low point in his life. He was poison in the U.S.A. From all accounts he and Ingo got along famously.
Most states wouldn't even licence him at the time, so he was probably just looking for a temporary base of operations in Europe..
I'm a big fan, so maybe I can shed some light... At this point in his career, Listonsson needed to reBUILD, and PUT TOGETHER/ASSEMBLE a string of victories. So, naturally, Ssonny went to the land of IKEA. (Sorry. I'm an even bigger fan of awful puns)
Yes I have. Only place in the world I saw black hair with blonde roots. But like you said their women are not only tall, most of them are in good shape with a certain zest for life.
