Sonny Listons first comeback fight on American soil, since the Lewiston, Maine fiasco. After (2) trips to Sweden, one in 1966 and one in 1967, Liston was finally granted a license to fight in Nevada. The Nevada State Boxing Commision approved Listons application in December 1967. He had his license pulled in June 1965. After a 30-month suspension, he was re-instated. After approval, Sonny signed up with Dick Saddler, in becoming his manager/trainer. Living in Las Vegas in early 1968, Liston spent his time working out at Johnny Tocco's Ringside Gym, and fitness training at his friend Lem Bankers Sahara Health Club. Starting on a strict fitness regiment set forth by Dick Saddler, Sonny dropped 20 lbs. in the month of February from 245 down to 225, by running 4 miles each morning, and spending 3 hours at the Health Club.
Dick Sadler was working on Sonny Listons American soil comeback plans, and had several fights in the works. They were scouting the possibility of coming back against Mel 'Elbow Joe' Turnbow, a big slow heavyweight, who was co-managed by Angelo Dundee. The possibility of a California fight was in the works, as the California Boxing Commission also granted Sonny a license in the winter of 1967.
Dick Sadler got Sonny's first American soil comeback fight set. Set for Saturday Evening, March 16, 1968 A Bud Traynor Sports Promotion. The setting, The Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada A relatively new, 3-year old multi-purpose conference center. A 3300 seating capacity, in the open area. After 11-months since his last fight in Sweden, and nearly 3-years since the Lewiston, Maine 'sham', Liston would be hearing his name announced by an American presenter. At a listed age of 36, but in most circles, clearly over 40, the 223 lb. barrell-chested and thicker Liston would fight again. Sporting a record of 39-3-0 (29 KO's), Sonny Liston was not ranked. His opponet for the comeback celebration. Bill 'Fred' McMurray, from Sacramento, California (former California State Heavyweight Champion) McMurray a truck-driver by trade, was a fairly-well considered California Heavyweight. At age 32, the 6' 4" tall and rangy veteran of 47 fights, could provide some challenge for a older comebacking Liston. With a record of 23-18-2 (9 KO's), he was not regarded as a dangerous puncher. On McMurray's record, he lost his last 2 fights in 1967, a 1st Round Knock-out loss to former Champion Floyd Patterson, and a 10-Round Decision loss to undefeated Dave Zyglewicz (22-0-0). He did have some good fights on his bill, a 12-Round Decision loss to 'hot' Henry Clark (8-3-2) in 1967, for the California State Heavyweight Championship, a 12-Round Draw with Top 10 ranked Tony Alongi (38-2-3) in late-1966, and his best win, a major upset win in 9/66, a TKO 7 (cut-eye) win over the Top-Ranked Thad Spencer (29-4-0), in which he won the California State Heavyweight Championship. A big-sour spot on his record, he went 3-11-1 in 15-fights, from 1962 thru 1964. All on short-notice of course.
The McMurray fight, I think, is an important part of deconding the Ali fight, though it would take some doing. Liston was older and less organised by this time in terms of training - and almost certainly drinking more. Still, McMurray, though not a topline fighter, was mobile, a good mover. Liston showed how he treats such a fighter - body shots, and, when things get particularly frustrating, full physical commitment, a "leap in". He underused bodyshots versus Ali I, in my opinion, and he also never bored all the way in. However, the following has to be taken into account - Ali was already a strong lad in a way McMurray wasn't, Ali was already a harder harder puncher. But Liston fights, very generically, in a more intelligent way here than he did versus Ali. And I suspect his general condition is worse here.
McG, I would have to think Dick Saddler and Johhny Tocco knew what they had and what they didn't. A bulky, tightly wound freight train, who was never going to look good against movers. The Las Vegas reports were that he was boozing it up and hanging with a bad element on the west-side, but he was attempting to get in shape. He did seem to be a little tight in his fight with McMurray, but once he was able to get him to a stationary position, it is evident that he still had awesome power. I think, after Ali, it was just a business 'job' for him to make money. He did say, 'it beats working for a living'. He wasn't looking for any face time with the media.
As for the fight, Sonny Liston plodded through the first 2 rounds stalking a semi fleet-footed McMurray. Liston did still reach with his jab, but the telephone pole length and jack-hammer power was still there. In Round 3, the former champ did catch the lanky Bill 'alias Fred' with a couple of hard shots, attempting to slow him down. With 15-seconds left in the Round, Sonny landed his best punch of the fight, a whipping left hook which razzled the tall 210 lb. journey-man. In Round 4, the chase was still on in the opening seconds of the round, until Liston shook the 32-year old truck driver with a hard shot to the body, followed by a straight right to the left side of McMurray's jaw. A solid left and glancing right by Liston moved McMurray to the center section along the ropes. There Liston unloaded a two-fisted attack, but McMurray tried to fight back with his back against the ropes. Without skipping a beat, Sonny Liston ripped off a Howitzer-like 8-punch bombardment, driving a dazed Bill McMurray through the ropes, and onto the ring apron. He valiantly attempted to get up, and did, just before the 10-count, but he was dazed. Referee Davey Pearl ruled that Bill McMurray had enough for tonight. The fight was stopped at 0:38 of round 4. The undercard included a heavyweight bout between; Oklahoma Heavyweight, Wayne Heath, 12-9-0 (5 KO's) versus Earl Averette 10-8-1 (2 KO's) Wayne Heath W Dec 10 Earl Averette Attendance; 3300 Live Gate; $18,000 Tickets; Patron Ringside,,,, $25.00 Ringside,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$10.00 Dress Circle,,,,,,,,,,,$7.50 Reserved,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$5.00 General Admission,,,,$3.00 Fight Purse; Sonny Liston,,,, $9000 Bill McMurray,,,,,$2500
TRI-Y, Floyd Patterson Knocked-out Bill McMurray in 1 Round. A year earlier, 3/30/67 in Pittsburg, Pa. Sonny Liston had to take less money for this fight then agreed upon. He was supposed to get $12,500, but the small venue could only hold 3300 or so. Bill McMurray wouldn't get in the ring, unless he got his $2500 up front. Wayne Heath and Earl Averette, both Sonny Liston sparring partners got $750 apiece.
