Sonny Liston 'Screwed Over BY I-C-P in 1965'

The same group Inter-Continental-Promotions that promoted
Sonny in his '2' Championship Bouts with Cassius Clay,

By November 1965, still had not reconciled with Sonny Liston for
his fight purse and other due monies.

Now, I-C-P (Rober Nilon) was going to reap in a large profit of
over $1,000,000 in the promotion of the Cassius Clay vs Floyd Patterson bout in Las Vegas.

Sonny, who 'took the dive' in Lewiston, Maine - was now dismissed as
a used up 'pain-in-the-ass' that nobody wanted around.

Still living in Denver, as a former Champion, but in a relatively obscure manner.

 

Monday, November 22, 1965

'LISTON FILES SUIT, SEEKS TO IMPOUND FIGHT PROCEEDS'

Sonny Liston was in court Monday Afternoon, before tonights bout
between Cassuis Clay and Floyd Patterson.

Sonny Liston was granted to permission by a Judge to have the proceeds
of tonights bout held, as Mr. Liston is seeking to retrieve payments for
both of his bouts with Floyd Patterson, both of his bouts with Cassius Clay
and also due money from tonights bout.

U.S. Marshall - Beverly Perkins will spring into action, and will attempt to
impound funds for Mr. Liston. Her first call, will be to ask for all monies
collected at the Las Vegas Convention Center be held.

Live Gate receipts are expected to reach $300,000 for the 8000 seat
capacity Convention Center.

Principals, Jack Nilon (former Manager of Sonny Liston), Robert Nilon and
James Nilon of I-C-P (Inter-Continental-Promotions) and Fred Brooks of
Sports Vision, Inc. (Closed Circuit Operator) were all listed in the complaint.

Insiders say, that the if all the theatre seats are sold, an amount of $10,000,000
may be reached for gross receipts.

But realistic numbers have been estimated at $5,350,000.

The Champion - Cassius Clay is to receive 40% of the net receipts.
Challenger - Floyd Patterson is to receive 20%.

Inter-Continental-Promotions is to receive 20%, and the Theatre Operators will receive 20%.

 

Poor Sonny Liston,

Despite the 'Court Order',

He could not retrieve any of the $5,000,000 that I-C-P took in, as it was
later found out that Sonny had sold off all his shares in I-C-P.

He took the 'Dive' in both Cassius Clay fights, thinking that he would get
'millions', as told to him by the I-C-P Officers.

In turn, I-C-P and Fred Brooks of Sports Vision, Inc. reaped in the millions.


Mike DeJohn commenting about Sonny Liston,

"They cut him four-ways - up, down, deep and often."