Unfortunately, The book does not dig deep enough into the 'true' back room dealings of the Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston II bout. The 'true facts' 1) No Boxing Commission or State Athletic Commission wanted Sonny Liston around anymore. 2) Only Kentucky (Muhammad Ali's home state) and Massachussets were willing to take the 'rematch'. 3) Massachussets wanted out, when information was coming in about Sonny Liston's mob connection's, and obvious back room dealings were being spread around. 4) Las Vegas, which was starting to boom in 1965, wanted a Heavyweight Championship bout out there, to bring in the 'high-rollers', and they wanted a 'fight' soon. 5) Sonny Liston, was banned from boxing in Nevada, as his license had been revoked, due to his performance in the ring with Cassius Clay in February 1964, as well as his ties to unsavory characters, and numerous contracts. 6) The Las Vegas Group, headed by Kirk Kerkorian, pretty much cut 'a deal' with Sonny Liston and Robert Nilon way before the 'rescheduled' bout in Boston for May 1965, which was then switched over to Lewiston, Maine - after the Boston District Attorney pulled the 'plug' on a Boston Garden bout. 7) If Sonny 'played ball', there would cash, his gambling debts in Las Vegas would go away, and he and Robert Nilon would share in profits from the 'closed circuit promotion' of the next 'two' Muhammad Ali bouts, in Las Vegas. 8} When Sonny left Denver, (after things from the rematch bout calmed down), there would be a home waiting for him in Las Vegas, as well as a new Cadillac for him and his wife Geraldine. 9) All Sonny Liston had to do was, a) Not win the rematch with Muhammad Ali b) Try to make it look good, or have a 'ready-made-excuse' c) Play ball d) Keep his mouth shut and do not tell anyone e) Do not fight a professional bout for 1-year f) When and if you do comeback, fight overseas in Europe or Japan 10) When Sonny Liston and his wife left Denver, for Las Vegas im March 1966 -. they moved into a very nice $60,000 home, on 2058 Ottawa Drive, just off the 16th fairway of the Stardust Country Club. It was one of the former homes of,,,,,,,,,Kirk Kerkorian. 11) In the backyard, a brand new 'in-ground' pool. 12) In the driveway, 'two' new 1966 $6000 Cadillacs. A green and black Fleetwood for Sonny, and a 'shocking pink' Convertible Coupe for Geraldine. 13) No mortage, no car loans. 14) All expenses paid for any Las Vegas Hotel accomodation (room, liquor or food) that is owned or associated with the Kirk Kerkorian Group.
You would think they would have gotten to Liston before the first Clay fight. Liston was an 7-1 (8-1 at some books) favorite. He was only slightly favored in the second fight.
Bill, The second bout,,,,,,,,gambling had very little to do with it.. The money was made on the 'closed circuit revenue', and ancillary fee's. Las Vegas got what they wanted,,,,,,,Sonny Liston away from boxing, and Muhammad Ali vs Floyd Patterson in November 1965.
Overlooked by many,,,,,, Sonny Liston heard nothing but "intense boo's" when he defended his Heavyweight Championship out in Las Vegas, in July 1963 versus Floyd Patterson. The Las Vegas Casino owners, needed a Heavyweight Champion out there, to attract the 'high-rollers and big money'. The problem with Sonny, he had too many unsavory characters in his group, and that made many in Las Vegas, feel a little uneasy, especially the Nevada State Athletic Commission. As for betting, Sonny was a 4-1 betting favorite over Floyd, but the word on the street and with the casino workers, was that they hated Liston and all were pulling for Floyd. The 'smart wise guy money' was bet on Sonny, and the 'regular Joe's' went with Floyd. The destruction of Floyd Patterson, actually hurt Sonny's standing with the local Las Vegas community.