Sonny Liston 'The Secretive Fight Contract'

The back room dealings and the 'secretive fight contract' that Heavyweight Champion
- Sonny Liston and Jack Nilon signed in 1963.

Some of the newly found wording, and multiple contracts that were signed, only to
confuse the Boxing Commission Officials.

One has surfaced, with Sonny Liston signing a contract, where after losing to Cassius Clay
on February 24, 1964 - that in 'no way' could Sonny have another bout, before having the
rematch with Cassius Clay.

Of course, the question is asked, 'What do you mean have another fight, are you planning to lose Sonny'.

Early contracts stated that the rematch was to take place in September 1964, but once the Boxing
Commission Officials started talking, all bets were off as to getting a bout in before November 1964.

The 'sharp' Boxing Commissioners knew something was up.

 

Garland Sherry (Attorney), Jack Nilon (Manager) and Robert Nilon
(I-C-P President) were representatives for Sonny Liston.

Gordon Davidson (Attorney) and William Faversham Jr. (President of the
Louisville Sponsoring Group) were representatives for Cassius Clay.

They met in late-October 1963 in Gordon Davidson's Louisville, Kentucky
office to sign the 'multiple contracts'.

Several fight contracts are prepared, to show the Boxing Commission Officials,
and a couple of others as personal contracts for the 'two' fighters, that no one
else was supposed to see.

Inside Apples, ('Original Deal')

A) Cassius Clay beats Sonny Liston in February 1964, amidts controversy.
(The best place to stage this 'act' would be Miami Beach, where it could be directed easier).

B) Sonny Liston beats Cassius Clay in September 1964, with more controversy, setting up a 'third bout'.
(Find another 'aggreeable' location, where this could be staged, ie; Boston).

C) Cassius Clay beats Sonny Liston in May 1965.

 

Yes,

William Faversham Jr. had a 'signed contract' from October 25, 1963 -
that stated Sonny Liston could not have another fight after his
February 24, 1964 fight with Cassius Clay.

Sonny Liston (after losing) could 'only' fight Cassius Clay in the rematch,
with absoluetly no other tune-up bouts permitted.

If Sonny took a tune-up, I-C-P would then lose the promotional rights to
the rematch, where the big money was.

 

McG,

The contract doesn't say 'LOSE',

It states that,

Sonny Liston 'cannot' engage in another sanctioned bout with any other
professional boxer after the bout with Cassius Clay, or he will forfeit the
right to a rematch, and the promotional rights to the rematch and any
other bouts involving Cassius Clay.

Sonny Liston will 'agree', to engage in a sanctioned bout with only Cassius Clay,
after his first bout with said principal.

 

McG,

Sorry about that. There several contracts to disect.