After the Ali-Liston II fiasco in Lewiston, Maine. Sonny's career was a disaster, after helping create the 'the biggest mess in sports history'. No one would touch him, and no boxing commission would sanction any of his bouts. A former champion, with no place to go. From 5/26/65, the day after the bout, until May of 1966, Sonny Liston was a virtual recluse for a year. His friend, found at the corner liquor store. The once perfect fighting machine at 215 lbs. was now upwards at 240 lbs. Barrel-chested and mean-spirited. Hiding out in Denver, Colorado to short-trips to Las Vegas. He became unwanted in most establishments, unless he was loosing money at the '21' Blackjack tables. Bring in Ingemar Johansson, the former heavyweight champ, living a great life in Sweden, involving himself with numerous business ventures.
After Sonny Liston and his wife Geraldine left Denver, they moved to Las Vegas in March 1966. Suprisingly, to a warm reception. Fighting in the states was not going to be possible immediately, but he was welcomed in the Casino's.
After Sonny Liston and his wife Geraldine left Denver, they moved to Las Vegas in March 1966. Suprisingly, to a warm reception. Fighting in the states was not going to be possible immediately, but he was welcomed in the Casino's. His numerous contracts with managers/advisors had all been dissolved. His debts, legal and non-legal were all square, up to this point. He was no longer in debt, with loans and gambling debts, to the unsrcupulous underworld elements. He was still owed money from the Liston-Patterson II fight, live gate money from Bill McDonald local promoter of the Ali-Clay I fight in Miami, and some ancillary rights revenue from Ali-Liston II in Lewiston. There was some doubt, as to whether he would ever see that money. He bought Kirk Kervorkian's house in Las Vegas, on 2058 Ottowa Drive. A nice up-scale neighborhood, right off the 16th fairway of the Stardust Country Club. Which included a 10' x 30' in-ground pool. If anybody thought Sonny was broke in 1966, he wasn't, he paid $70,000 cash for the home. In the driveway were (2) new Cadillacs. A green, with black vinyl top Fleetwood for Sonny. For Geraldine, a pink convertible.
As of May 25, 1966, Sonny Listons contracts were null and void. As per agreement, if his management could not promote a fight for him for 1-year/365 days, he could exercise his option, to terminate the contract. Which he did. He was technically a free agent.
Since no one was offering him any fights or exhibitions, Sonny was at a stale-mate in Denver. He had worn out his welcome there, and was isolated from his boxing contacts, if there were any left. When he moved to Las Vegas in March, it was to be closer to the boxing action. Since getting licensed for a fight was out, Sonny offered himself up as a 'hired gun' sparring partner. But no one was really interested, as managers and trainers were fearfull of getting their fighters busted up by a vengeful person. Luck came Sonny's way, when in mid-March, he was contaced by Ingemar Johansson, about a 3-fight deal, in Sweden. After a verbal agreement with Ingemar Johansson, through an intemediary, he accepted the offer, and agreed to go to Stockholm, Sweden after Memorial Day. Before the Sweden trip, Sonny needed some expense cash for him and his wife, and several of his entourage. He wasn't broke, but he wasn't exactly rich.
