Sonny Liston biography

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mac0607, Jun 8, 2012.


  1. Mac0607

    Mac0607 New Member Full Member

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    I see on Amazon theres a few biographies and I was wondering which one is the consensus best?
     
  2. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Read both. I like the one by Steen.
     
  3. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

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  4. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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    5) Sonny Liston, was banned from boxing in Nevada, as his license had been revoked, due to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.
     
  5. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

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    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.
     
  6. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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.
     
  7. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    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.