Sonny Liston '13-10' Favorite Over Cassius Clay For Rematch

May 24, 1965

The general consensus is that Sonny Liston should be able to stop the
Champion - Cassius Clay by Round 10.

The Champion has not gotten any better, and the Challenger has not gotten any worse.

The Betting-Odds opened up with Sonny Liston as the 9-5 Favorite, but
late money on the Champion has dropped the Odds.

Those close to the Challenger, state that Sonny hurt his left shoulder in the 1st-Round
of the first bout in February 1964, and still managed to fight for 6-rounds, against a
Challenger who could not put him down.

Other boxing pundits believe, that Sonny took the Challenger too lightly and had
planned to carry Cassius for a few rounds, before putting him away. But, Sonny
had not trained properly, and was exhausted after a brisk 5th Round.

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May 24, 1965

'Mighty Mouth Has A Plan'

The Champion - Cassius Clay stated that he has a 'secret plot', that will
be a bigger surprise than in his first bout with Sonny Liston.

Informed that Betting-Odds have dropped from 8-5, to 13-10 for Sonny Liston,
the Champion went hysterical, claiming that the Odds will drop further to
'Even'.

Cassius said, 'I should be a 7-1 Favorite to be honest.'

 

Steve Reid,

Newspaperman in Maine,

I'm betting on Sonny. In the first bout, he underestimated the kid, and tried to
carry him a few rounds to make it look good. Sonny figured, as soon as I hit this kid, he'll go
the same way Floyd Patterson did.

Sonny fought lackadasical, with no purpose for the first 3-Rounds. Then, when he tried
to turn it on, he found out he didn't have it, as Cassius was able to take his punch.

I think Sonny was more surprised than anybody else, to see Cassius still standing
in front of him at the start of the 6th Round. I honestly think that Sonny was more tired
than injured. He definitely hurt his shoulder, but I've heard from his camp that it
wasn't really that bad.

I'm going with Sonny in this fight. Cassius can't hurt him, and the only thing he can do
is box and stay away. Sonny will pace himself, and slowly wear down this kid with
hard punches. I wouldn't be surprised if Sonny stops him in 10, but it will probably
go the full 15 rounds.

I've seen both fighters in their training camps, and I've yet to see Cassius hurt a
single sparring-partner. Sonny has been a little better, but he too has not been overly
impressive.

 

May 24, 1965

Amidts rumors that a group of Black Muslims have invaded Lewiston, Maine -
to take out either fighter have been reported.

Both camps have taken precautions, as the Champion - Cassius Clay has
a round-the-clock security force at his motel, as well as State Troopers and Lewiston City Police
following his every move.

The Challenger - Sonny Liston, has two armed guards with him at all times, and also
has two ex-FBI Agents as part of his security detail.

A spokesman for Fred Brooks (promoter) stated, that both fighters are well-protected,
and nobody can get access to the men without going through a security check.

Asked about some well-dressed Black Muslims reaching either of the fighters, was
laughed off by the promoter as some kind of 'hoax'.

 

May 23, 1965

Odds-Makers have posted Sonny Liston as a '9-5' Betting-Favorite in Las Vegas,
which has stirred up the pot a bit, which will bring in late money on Cassius Clay.

The smart money has yet to come in, as the boys in Las Vegas are waiting for
further instructions from the 'Chicago and East-coast connections.

Sonny Liston who predicts a knockout victory, said there will never be a 'third bout'
between him and Cassius Clay.

Sonny Liston, 'If I win, it will be Ernie Terrell and George Chuvalo next, and in that order.
I have no plans on retiring.'

Cassius Clay, 'If I lose, I will retire. I have trained very hard for this fight, because I
know if I don't, I can be beat.'

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On the eve of the fight,

'Odds On Liston Fall On Eve Of Fight'

Las Vegas had it at Round 9.

The 74 Newspaper Sportswriters voted......42 to 32 for Cassius Clay.

George Chuvalo after witnessing Sonny Liston in sparring,
quietly said,

'Sonny has no legs, he stands there like a Wooden Indian,
and he moves like a Freight Train pulling out of a rail-yard'.

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Friday - May 21, 1965

'Police Move In On Clay'

New York State Troopers warned the Chicopee, Massachusetts Police
that a group of Black Muslims are on there way to Chicopee to assassinate Cassius Clay.

According to Investigators, a black sedan with 4 Black Muslims was stopped on Route 22
in upstate New York. The group leader said they were headed to the Schine Inn in
Chicopee, Massachusetts (Cassius Clay's Training Camp) to discuss personal business.

A map and details of the route (Massachusetts Turnpike, Springfield Exit 9) were found in the car,
along with an 'X' marked on the Schine Inn, and Cassius Clay's room number.

The current security detail of 70, has now been increased to 300, with help from the
Massachusetts State Troopers, the State of Maine State Troopers and City of Lewiston,
Maine Police force.

The Champion - Cassius Clay, who now goes by his Black Muslim name of Muhammad Ali is
fearful, as his friend Malcolm X was murdered in New York on February 21, 1965 (just 3-months ago).

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Friday, May 21, 1965

A suddenly very quiet Cassius Clay, at a Press Confernce at an
Inn in nearby Auburn, Massachusetts states,

'If I lose, I will never get a rematch with Sonny Liston, and I seriously
doubt that I would ever get a chance to fight for a Heavyweight Championship
ever again.'

Sonny Liston also stated,

'There is so much stink surrounding these fights, a third bout with Cassius Clay will
never happen.

 

Hookie,

Even when Sonny looked like an awful plodder in most of his sparring sessions,
he still had his loyal followers.

And the late nights at the Poland Spring House in Maine, swilling J & B Scotch
until 4:00 AM just days before the rematch, the 'Old-Timers' still liked Sonny.