Sonny Liston 'Fight Purses'

Always a 'good' barometer to check, to see where professional boxers
were on the income chart.

Sonny's last bout versus Chuck Wepner, on June 29, 1970 in Jersey City, New Jersey,
at the Jersey City Armory.

It was always stated, that the fight purse tossed around, as supposedly Sonny lost a
'bet' that he placed on Mac Foster to defeat Jerry Quarry on June 17, 1970 at
Madison Square Garden (12-days earlier).

According to the New Jersey State Boxing Commission, Sonny Liston
received $13,760 (cash) - plus $1240 in expenses and (3 round-trip airline tickets) -
for himself, Davey Pearl (his manager at the time) and 'one' associate.

Chuck Wepner received $4000, as he took a percentage of the 'live gate' gross
revenues, instead of a guarantee of $5000 from the Jersey City Armory, sponsors
of the bout.

Chuck Wepner had signed a contract, that if he won this bout, he would have fought
Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden in September 1970.

After the bout, Sonny did say he would enjoy fighting Jerry Quarry, but he would
have to petition the New York State Athletic Commission to see if they would
license him to fight at Madison Square Garden.

With the victory, Sonny Liston (age 43 ?) improved to 50-4-0 (39 KO's), and was
ranked as the #7 WBA Heavyweight.

European Heavyweight propspect, Hungarian Joe Bugner was in attendance, to scout
both Sonny Liston and Chuck Wepner for future opponents.

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Working backwards,

Saturday Afternoon - December 6, 1969

The International Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada

ABC-TV

Sonny Liston vs. Leotis Martin, in December in Las Vegas.

The 'first' NABF Heavyweight Championship fight, and televised on ABC-TV.

Sonny Liston......$50,000
Leotis Martin......$25,000

The 'new' International Hotel was owned by Kirk Kerkorian, the same Las Vegas
business investor/entrepreneur who gave Sonny Liston a home in February 1966.

Sonny got 'knocked out' L KO 9 by Leotis Martin in a scheduled 12-Rounder.

Sonny the #3 WBA Heavyweight drops to 49-4-0, and with it, any hopes for a
World Heavyweight Championship opportunity.

If Sonny had won, he was scheduled to fight Mac Foster in March 1970.

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Tuesday Night - Sepetmber 23, 1969

Sam Houston Coliseum - Houston, Texas

Attendance; 4500 (Capacity; 9200)

Sonny Liston (226 lbs.) scored a 'KO 3' over 'South Dallas' Sonny Moore (208 lbs.)
Sonny Liston floored Sonny Moore, 'once' in the 1st-Round, 'twice' in the
2nd-Round, and for the count with a right-cross in the 3rd-Round.

A clearly 'out-of-shape' Liston looked over-sized at 226 lbs. The fans in
attendance immediately boo'd the former Champion after the opening bell,
and continued to 'jeer' Liston throughout the 'one-side' fight.

George Foreman 5-0-0 (5 KO's) fought Roy 'Cookie' Wallace on the undercard.

Sonny who was boo'd heavily by the Houston fans, improves to 49-3-0 (38 KO's).

Sonny Moore, drops to 21-31-3. The 31 year-old Texan, a 'perennial loser', lost for
the 10th time in his last '11-bouts'.

Sonny picked up some spending money, as he received $10,000 (40% of the 'live gate') of $25,000

 

Monday Night - May 19, 1969

Convention Center - Las Vegas, Nevada

Attendance; 2900

Sonny Liston 47-3-0 (36 KO's) versus George Johnson 17-16-4 (6 KO's)

37 year-old (?) Sonny Liston stopped 27 year-old -George Johnson at 2:55 of Round 7. Referee Harry Krausse
called a halt to the bout after the Los Angeles-based Heavyweight absorbed an 'uncountable' amount
of punches, as a result of 'barrage' from the former Heavyweight Champion.

Sonny Liston 217 lbs, floored George Johnson moments into the bout. Liston landed a long left
hand and a 'spear-like' right hand to the chin of Johnson, who walked away then reeled for
a few moments before falling to the canvas on the seat of his pants, as a result of delayed action.

From Round 2 and on, Liston landed punch-after-punch, too many to count as Johnson absorbed
the punches to the face, full-force. George Johnson was battered in the 5th-Round and nearly collapsed,
but stayed on his feet, despite reeling around the ring.

The 5' 9" 212 lbs. 'Baby Bull' Johnson, who had won 6-straight' entering this bout, took a bad battering in
Round 7, forcing Referee Harry Krausse to stop the one-sided affair.

The victory was Sonny's '13' straight, and 12th by Knockout since his loss to Muhammad Ali in May 1965.

Sonny Liston received a fight purse of $16,000. George Johnson received $4000.
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After this bout, Sonny Liston would not fight for 4-Months (September 23, 1969 in Houston, Texas).

Sonny would embark on his acting career, as he participated in additional filming for the movie
MoonFire which was filmed in New Mexico and West Texas.

Promoter Bill Miller, proposed a bout for Sonny to face WBA Heavyweight Champion - Jimmy Ellis
for sometime in August 1969, and in Las Vegas. The WBA has approved the bout.

George 'Scrap Iron' Johnson was asked to comment on who hit harder, Joe Frazier (who he fought in May 1967)
or Sonny Liston. George Johnson did not hesitate, and said Joe Frazier hit harder.

Suprisingly, George went 10-Full Rounds with Joe Frazier, and was not felled. Where as, Sonny floored
George and stopped him.

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Both WBA Heavyweight Champion - Jimmy Ellis and his Trainer- Angelo Dundee
had agreed to fight Sonny Liston as early as April 1969.

Both were in attendance in Las Vegas when Sonny fought George Johnson on May 19, 1969
- and there was a '2nd' proposed bout to be televised on ABC-TV in Las Vegas for July 1969.

Jimmy Ellis who had received $125,000 for is bout with Floyd Patterson, was looking for a
slighter higher purse fee versus Sonny Liston.

Though exact figures were not released, Jimmy Ellis was to receive $150,000 and Sonny Liston
was to get $75,000.

 

Friday Night - March 28, 1969

Kiel Auditorium - St. Louis, Missouri

Attendance; 4600 (Capacity; 9300)

Sonny returns back to Missouri.

Sonny Liston, at a 'bulky' 219 lbs. plodded his way to a Unanimous 10-Round
Decision over 27 year-old - 'Cincinnati' Billy Joiner 6' 0" - 195 lbs.

The aging Heavyweight (age 41 ?), scored well over the first '4-Rounds', as he
clubbed Joiner with left hands and slow right crosses. But from the 5th Round and on,
Liston just plodded and threw ponderous right hands to the body of the ever fleeing
and nimble Ohio Heavyweight.

Liston would hold Joiner at bay with his left hand, utilizing his 7" reach advantage,
and punch him with the right hand to the body in Rounds 6 thru 9. But the former
Champion was unable to hurt a fighter he out-weighed by 25 lbs, as his punches
were slow and had no power.

The Kiel Auditorium fans boo'd both fighters, with loud chants starting in the 6th Round,
and continued until the 10th Round.

In the last round, Billy Joiner had the fans cheering, as he clowned and danced,
slapping the former Champion with left jabs and right hands.

Scorecards { 9-1-0 / 9-1-0 / 8-2-0 }

Sonny Liston received a fight purse of $13,000. Billy Joiner received $2700.
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Sonny Liston improved his record to 47-3-0.

Billy Joiner saw his record drop to 9-5-3. Joiner had gone 0-3-3 in his previous 6-Bouts.
Billy's last bout was 10-Months earlier in May 1968, where he was stopped by TKO 7 to
Sonny Liston in California.

Frank A. Fisher of Global Sports (Fight Promoter) has offered WBA Heavyweight Champion
Jimmy Ellis and Sonny Liston a contract, to stage a Championship bout in St. Louis for the
early-Summer.

Sonny Liston commented; 'A win is a win. Billy wouldn't stay still, so I just had to club him. He
fought a smart defensive fight, so he deserves credit.'

 

Tuesday Night - December 10, 1968

Civic Center - Baltimore Maryland

Attendance; 6000

Sonny Liston versus Amos Lincoln.

This bout was fought as part of the 'closed circuit broadcast' of the
World Heavyweight Championship bout between Joe Frazier and Oscar Bonavena
held at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.

Sonny Liston claimed age of 36 1/2 (but really 41 1/2), at 45-3-0 (35 KO's) takes on
former sparring partner, 32 year-old - Amos 'Big Train' Lincoln 41-12-1 (24 KO's).

Amos, though on a losing roll by going 3-5-0 in his last '8-bouts', still believes he has
the style to defeat his former boss, and has stated in the press, that 'I knocked out
Sonny before Cassius Clay did. I gave Cassius the blueprint on how to beat Sonny.'

Sonny in his press interview, said, 'Amos is crazy to think that he can beat me. I'll
drive that Big Train right of the tracks.'

Sonny Liston is to receive a fight purse of $33,333. Amos Lincoln will receive $16,666.

After Sonny 'bombarded' the 'Big Train' in Round 2.

Sonny Liston, 'I'm ready and eager to fight Joe Frazier.'

 

Tuesday Night - November 12, 1968

Sonny Liston took on Roger Rischer at the Civic Center in Pittsburg,
in a Nationally Televised bout, while George Chuvalo and Dante Cane
fought in Toronto, Canada as a 'closed circuit broadcast'.

A 'sparse crowd' of only 4200 turned out at the Civic Center (capacity; 17,000).

Since the bout was a 'benefit' for one-time Pittsburg Fight Promoter
Ben Anolik, the fighters took smaller fight purses.

Sonny, who normally had a 'flat fee minimum' of $15,000 - accepted $9500, plus expenses.

Roger Rischer, now based out of Fort Worth, Texas accepted $5000.

After Sonny destroyed Roger Risher by KO 3, Promoter Herb Conrad offered Sonny a
bout with Jerry Quarry or Buster Mathis, for early-1969. Sonny said, 'I would like
to fight for a Championship with Joe Frazier or Jimmy Ellis first.'

Sonny improved to 45-3-0 (35 KO's).


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Sunday Afternoon - November 3, 1968

Plaze de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Alberto Bull Ring

The Mexican fan turn out was not up to expectations, as 4000 boxing fans paid to
see the former heavyweight Champion - Sonny Liston perform in a Bull Ring.

Sonny blasted out Texan 'club-fighter' - Willis Earls by scoring '3-Knockdowns' in
the 2nd-Round, enroute to a TKO 2 at 1:52, as the Mexican Referee- Young Amada
halted the one-sided bout.

Sommy came out for the opening round looking 'sluggish', as he plodded like
a wounded bull, tossing out slow long left hands on his smaller opponent.

Willis Earls brought the fans to their feet moments into Round 2, by rushing
at Liston and throwing a 'wild right hand haymaker' that flew over Liston's
head as he ducked. Sonny then came back with his own counter right-hand
flush on Earl's jaw, that rocked him backwards - across the ring.

Sonny received a fight purse of 40% of the 'live gate', plus general expenses,
which came out to be $12,000.

Sonny has a scheduled bout in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 9-days versus an
un-named Heavyweight opponent (later to be listed as Roger Rischer).

 

Inflation Calculator,,,,,,,,,,,

1968 $1.00 equals approximately $6.00 in 2012

That 1968 $12,500 fight purse would be equivalent to $75,000 today,,,,,,,

Give or take a few grand....

By the way, Sonny always had a new year Cadillac Fleetwood.
1968 Cadillac Fleetwood,,,,,,,,$6000

 

Not a bad gig if you can get it,,,,,,,,,,,

In 1968, Sonny kind of had a 'travelling road show', where he would
pick his opponents, usually 'faded journeyman' who he could bully,
batter and most importantly,,,,,,,,,beat.