Sonny Liston vs. Bill McMurray '1st Win on American Soil in 4+ Years'

Saturday Night - March 16, 1968

Centenial Coliseum - Reno, Nevada

Seating Capacity; 3000

The 40 year-old Sonny Liston, will participate in a bout on American
Soil in nearly 2 years, since his 'debacle' with Cassius Clay in Lewiston, Maine
on May 25, 1965.

But, Sonny Boy's 'last win' on American Soil was 4+ years (56 months ago)
when he stopped Floyd Patterson (KO 1) in Las Vegas, on July 22, 1963.

Sonny Boy, with a record of 39-3-0 (29 KO's) had scored '4-straight'
wins in Sweden, all by 'knockout' in a fragmented comeback effort in
1966 and 1967, since the loss to Cassius Clay.

The opponent, 31 1/2 year-old 'journeyman' and 'Sacramento truck driver' -
Bill 'Fred' McMurray. McMurray a 6' 4" 210 lb. boxer-puncher, with a record of
23-18-2 (9 KO's), was the typical 'opponent-type'.

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Very little pre-fight sports news reporting of this obscure bout.

Promoted by Bud Traynor.

Sonny was trying to sell other promoters that he was in good shape,
and only age 35.

Sonny came into the ring stuffed at 223 lbs.

 

Referee - Davey Pearl (who would later go on to manage Sonny Liston) -
was the 'third man in the ring'.

For nearly 3-Rounds, Sonny 'chased' and McMurray 'moved'.

But late in Round 3, Sonny catches McMurray with a hard left hook to the
body, and sweeping left hook the jaw, which stunned the 'journeyman'

In Round 4, Sonny 'stalks' the fleeing McMurray, and finally traps him in on the ropes.

Sonny lands a hard-left right, which stuns McMurray, then Sonny opens up with
an 8-punch flurry, that drives McMurray through the ropes and onto the ring apron
at the 0:34 Mark.

A 'dazed' McMurray struggles up at the 9-Count, and Referee - Davey Pearl takes
a good look at the 'journeyman', before halting the bout at the 0:47 Mark of Round 4.

Bill McMurray, 'It was hard to fight Sonny, because he was my 'Hero'. I really was afraid.'

 

Bill McMurray thanked Sonny Liston after the fight.

In 10 years of boxing, and 44 fights, the California State Heavyweight
Champion - Bill McMurray had finally gotten a decent pay-day.

It was his largest fight purse that ever received.

 

Monday Night - March 11, 1968

San Jose Civic Center - California

Capacity; 3480

5-days before his bout with Bill McMurray, Sonny performed an
Exhibition, as part of the Richie Gonzales vs. Jose Moreno
Featherweight bout.

The 2500 or so fans, roundly boo'd the former Champion as he entered
the ring. Chants of 'Drop Dead, You Bum' echoed throughtout the arena.

Sonny sparred 3-Rounds each with Wayne Heath and Earl Averette.

Afterwards, Sonny explained his 'debacle' in Lewiston, Maine.

'I kind of fell from being off-balance. I was moving forward, and was off-balance,
and I got hit by a light, but fair punch. I was not hurt. I was waiting to hear the
count from the Referee, but I did not get one. Till this day, Joe Walcott has
never talked to me.'