Quite possibly, one of Sonny Listons worst and undeserving opponents. After, trying unsuccessfully to secure a fight with Jerry Quarry or Joey Orbillo in Los Angeles, with promoter Jim Pusateri, Dick Saddler wanted to keep Liston active. A possible open date was August 8th with Tony Doyle in Los Angeles, but that fell through. Another pre-scheduled fight was set for September 15, but that also fell through. Finally, on September 20th, an offer came in from Phoenix, Arizona fight promoter, Al Zenn. He was putting together a 'fight-card', for a Monday night event, at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Phoenix, Arizona, for Monday, October 14th. He was able to rent the arena for a 'low price'. It was a relatively new arena, and this would be there second scheduled fight at the venue. Of course, Sonny Liston would be the headliner, and a local TV Network would be broadcasting it througout the Phoenix area. The event was set, and contracts were signed, with Sonny Liston to get $12,500. The scheduled opponent, would be comebacking Chicago Heavyweight, Joe Hemphill 17-3-1 (3 KO's), a fighter who could switch-up, and fight both orthodox and southpaw. Hemphill had been out of boxing for 8-years, career halted in 1960, but had a renewed desire to resume his career. Since coming back, Joey Hemphill had fought a 6-Round Draw with Sonny Listons sparring partner Earl Averette. And, and as Sonny Liston's replacement against Tony Doyle, a fight in Los Angeles, on 8/8/68, in which Hemphill fought a very good fight, in a losing effort. A 10-Round decison loss. But, on Friday, October 11, the 30 year-old, 6' 0" 195 lb. Joey Hemphill pulled out as an opponent, due to an injury that occured in training for the fight. Without an opponent, Dick Saddler suggested a 'last minute' replacement fighter, 'tomato-can' Sonny Moore. Moore was an 'always willing to travel and fight guy', as long as the price was right. Living east of Dallas, Sonny Moore got the 'replacment fighter' call on Friday night, and drove 1200 miles in a 2-days to get to Phoenix on Sunday, one day before the fight.
I hear Moore gave a returning Cleveland Williams a tough fight. Liston fighting Sonny Moore twice was most unnecessary though. They fought again a year later, with the exact same result, a third round knockout.
October, 14, 1968. #6 Sonny Liston 42-3-0 (32 KO's) vs. Sonny Moore 20-28-1 (11 KO's) Sonny Liston was now ranked #6 by the WBA, following his big win over #5 Henry Clark, in July. Sonny Moore, a 30 year-old, 6' 1" 208 lb. fighter out of Tyler, Texas. Went by the moniker of 'The South Dallas Policeman'. Going into this bout, Moore had been on a tear, in the wrong direction. He was 1-11-0 in his last 12-bouts. He had also been knocked-out or stopped in (7) bouts. His claim to fame, a close 10-Round decision loss to comebacking Clevelamd Williams, in May 1966. A fight, in which many had thought that Sonny Moore had won. As Sonny Liston vs. Sonny Moore was the 'head-liner'. Dick Saddler also had his top-ranked welterweight Charlie Shipes on the card. A Monday Night fight in Phoenix, at the 3 year old Veterans Memorial Coliseum, (capacity; 14,000) The fight was broadcast by a local television station, available only in the perimeter area. Promoter; Al Zenn Attendance; 4100 Live gate; $19,600 Ringside: $10 Others; $7, $5, $3 Sonny Liston: $9,800 (50% of live gate) Sonny Moore: $1,470 (7 1/2% of live gate) Sonny Liston, listed age of 36 (wink), and a slightly bloated 221 lbs., had been only half-training for two-weeks, before this fight. Sonny Moore, at age 30, was 6' 1" and 208 lbs., and in suprisingly good shape.
The Fight, 'The Battle of the Sonny's' Round 1; Sonny Liston wasted no time, going after Soony Moore. Liston, a tad bulkier, walked straight into his opponent and started with heavy jabs, resembling a log hitting a row-boat. Moore backed up after absorbing a couple of shots, and tried to retreat. Liston lumbered in, and whipped a wild left hook that missed, but followed up with a hard right to the body. Sonny Moore did attempt to fight back with lead rights, but he left himself open for more log-weighted type jabs. Sonny tried for a knock-out, when he stunned Moore with a grazing left hook, but Moore was saved by an over-protecting referee Roger Y'anez, who stepped in-between the fighters. Roger Y'anez appeared to be giving Sonny Moore a standing 8-count, as he looked the dazed fighter over, but backed off and let the fight continue. The round ended, with Moore in a retreating fashion. Round 2; More of the same, as Sonny Liston started off with the famous power jabs, snapping Moore's head back. Liston backed Moore up into the ropes, dangerous teritory, and let go with a handfull of slow but heavy hooks. Moore winced in pain, and moved off the ropes, into the center of the ring. Sonny Moore tried to tie up an advancing Liston, but was dropped by a short left hook to the head. Up at the count of 4, Moore slid away from Liston, and applied side-to-side movement. Liston had difficulty in loading up on a fleeing Moore, who would start and stop, like a car running out of gas. The 'herk-n-jerk' style allowed Sonny Moore to survive the round. Round 3; Liston went on the attack again, with the old standard 'heavy long jabs', which this time hurt Sonny Moore. With Moore backed up along the ropes, Liston shot in a short left hook to the body, and Moore crumbled. Sonny Moore struggled up, but not before Referee Roger Y'anez reached the count of 10. Knock-Out; Round 3 at 0:46 of the round.
Deke,,, This is a very difficult fight to get information on. Veterans Memorial Coliseum didn't schedule many fights at that arena. Though the capacity was approximately 14,000 for basketball games. The boxing arena set-up, was for 6000. A local Phoenix Televison Station broadcast the fight. I'll find out the network affiliation. Sonny Liston had a minimum of $12,500. But he accepted 50% of the 'live gate' gross instead, so Sonny Moore could make a few extra dollars. Charlie Shipes, Dick Saddlers other fighter, and #10 ranked welterweight fought a 10-Rounder on the undercard. Charlie Shipes fight purse was $1000
Rocky Road, Al Zenn put the fight at Veterans Memorial Coliseum together. The Monday night, October 14th date was open. Sonny Liston was signed for a $12,500 guarantee. But took less money ($9800), so Sonny Moore and the undercard fighters could make a few more dollars. Thats stuff you don't hear too much about. Sonny did help out other guys.
Beep, This fight in Phoenix, Arizona on October 14, 1968 had several planned opponents for Sonny Liston. The list included in preference; 1) Zora Folley 2) Tony Doyle 3) Fred Lewis 4) Steve Grant 5) Joey Hemphill
Sonny Moore also showed Jack Bodell up a lot, revealing even to true believers that Bodell would never be world class. Every era needs its perennial journeymen.
Sonny Moore could be classed as a dangerous 'ham-n-egger'. Able to throw a fighter a good curve-ball every now and then!
