The untold story: Liston's generosity packed a really big punch with Sunday Herald, The, Apr 30, 2000 by Brian Donald The untold story: Liston's generosity packed a really big punch with Sunday Herald, The, Apr 30, 2000 by Brian Donald THE brooding, mob-affiliated thug portrayed in Nick Tosches' recent biography of Sonny Liston is very different to the warm, generous and eminently likeable world heavyweight champion that Peter Keenan Jr remembers. Night Train has been acclaimed by critics for its hard-hitting account of Liston's involvement with the Mafia and the boxer's fearful, bad-to-the-bone, amorality. Yet while Tosches paints a compelling picture, Keenan prefers to trust his own memories. Keenan is the son of Peter Keenan - the only Scottish boxer to win two Lonsdale championship belts outright and the man who brought Sonny Liston to spar on one of his boxing bills, at Paisley Ice Rink in September 1963. "I was 11 years old when Sonny came to Glasgow," says Keenan today, "and he took a shine to me from the moment he arrived at my dad's home in Kelvinside. "He called me 'Petesie' and insisted that everywhere he went on the tour, I should accompany him". Instead of the reform school boxer who was seduced by the destructive glamour of the Mafia, Keenan recalls a gentle giant. One of his favourite memories, he says, was "when my dad marched Sonny through the streets of Glasgow in full Highland dress. "I remember the trouble my dad had finding a kilt big enough to fit Sonny Liston's massive frame. Dad eventually got one from a Highland policeman but Sonny loved the kilt so much that he didn't want to give it back. My dad had to literally tear it off his back. "I also remember Sonny keeping a quart bottle of whisky in his kilt sporran during the tour." When it came to money, Keenan remembers, the boxer was always happy to spread his wealth around. "Sonny liked to bet on the unlikeliest things. When we were in Belfast for the Northern Ireland leg of the tour, Sonny was astonished to learn that a man called Patsy Quinn had sired as many children as the 23 his own father had sired. "So, he told Quinn that he would bet him $500 (#150 in 1963) that it just wasn't true. "Patsy Quinn took the bet and Liston was gobsmacked when, on entering the Quinn household he was greeted by Patsy's 23-strong brood. He paid up without a murmur. "You have to realise that behind Sonny's intimidating image he was insecure in a lot of ways. He could write his name and count cash but that was the limit of his education." When Liston returned to America he didn't forget the boy. Liston sent a dictated letter every week to Keenan Jr with a $10 bill to his fee-paying boarding school, St Joseph's in Dumfries. In December 1963, the 11-year-old flew to Colorado to spend Christmas with Sonny and his wife Geraldine. "I'll never forget it," Keenan says. "As Sonny piloted his Cadillac up the driveway of his family mansion there on the roof in lights was 'Happy Xmas Petesie'." After two days in Denver during which Keenan Jr admits he came to love Sonny and his wife Geraldine, the young Scot was taken to Las Vegas and the Stardust Hotel. "Sonny introduced me to one of his predecessors as champion - the immortal 'Brown Bomber', Joe Louis - but Joe was down on his luck and I saw Sonny peel off $500 bills for the ex-champ, who would lose it quickly on the gaming tables and come back to Sonny for more." The young Keenan's Christmas break stretched to three weeks and a cable from Liston begged Peter Keenan senior to let the Listons legally adopt Peter Keenan Jr. "But within 48 hours my dad arrived to take me back to Glasgow." Although the letters and the cash sent to young Keenan at St Joseph's eventually tapered off, the boy called Liston several days after he had lost his world crown. Liston mysteriously surrendered in the seventh round to 7-1 underdog Cassius Clay in Miami, on February 25th 1964. "I was shattered by Sonny losing in such a way," admits Keenan, "so I asked him what happened. He replied, 'I can't go public on this but just before I left my dressing room for the fight against Clay, some Black Muslims came in, pressed a revolver to my temple and told me I better not win this fight. "After that, I never saw Sonny Liston again. "In 1971 when Sonny died, I represented my father at Liston's funeral in Las Vegas. I remember that during the funeral I sat between Joe Louis and Sammy Davis Jr." Copyright 2000 Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved. I had some good read. Maybe someone has more about Liston's UK tour?
the muslims waltzed on in to liston's dressing room just before he fought ali and pressed a gun to his head saying don't win this fight - hahahahahaha that's a new one LOL.
Thats right, Liston stayed with Patsy Quinn. He brought him into a bar in the town and the regulars jaws near hit the ground when Liston walked in. Quinns family have a long pedigree in the game with Patsys grandson, Danny McAllister fighting pro under the name 'Young patsy quinn'. Dannys father and uncle have been well known trainers in the Ams for decades. For the UK posters, patsy quinns granddaughter is that girl out of Big Brother, Orla Mc Allister
That was a good article, right up to the part when some Black Muslims came in with a gun,,,,, then it doesn't seem like a good article anymore. Some Black Muslims come into Lewiston, Maine and walk right through all the security and into Sonny Listons dressing room, and someone is carrying a gun. Now that Black Muslim presses the gun against against Sonny's temple, and says lose the fight. Now this is done in front of the 10 or so people in his dressing room.
This is what I heard,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Some Black Muslims handed a note to one of Sonny Liston's representatives. They told the guy, to go give it to Sonny in his dressing area. When the guy came back, the Black Muslims asked the guy, 'Did Sonny get the note'. The Liston representative said, 'Yes'. The Black Muslims asked, 'Well what did Sonny say? The little note delivery guy responded, 'Sonny said nothing' The Black Muslims responded, 'Did he look at the note' The Liston representative responded; "Oh Yeah' The Black Muslims said, 'Did he see what we wrote' The Liston representative then said, 'Sonny can't ****ing read, next time draw pictures'.
liston had not been champ for long. u think after all those hard years fighting to become heavyweight champ of the world he's just gonna throw it all away cuz of a note. not gonna happen - that sounds like sonny was some sort of ***** - yes sir whatever u say i'll do sir LOL. maybe foreman should try that one as his next excuse for zaire - the muslims told me to fall - many here will believe it
Groove Baby,,,,,,,,,,,,That was a JOKE If the so-called Black Muslims wanted to scare Sonny on the night of the fight, all they would have to do is let him know they had his wife,,,,,,, She was back at The Mansion House, all by herself.
For all those so-called threats that Sonny received prior to his fight with Ali in Lewiston, Maine. Sonny Liston, his wife and his entourage stayed at The Mansion House Hotel at Poland Spring, Maine. The place and surrounding area were protected by the local police. Also, Sonny had (2) Marshalls by his side, everywhere he went. Yes, even road work. They were with him on his drive to the fight site (20 minute drive), while coming into the Central Maine Youth Center, walk to the dressing area, in the dressing area, and walk to the ring. They were right behind Sonny's corner during the fight, and escorted him back to the dressing area. Then back to the Mansion House Hotel. I don't think Sonny had anything to fear, as he was well protected.
You say Geraldine was at the mansion house, but when you listen to the radio broadcast of Ali vs Liston II, Cosell talks during the fight's aftermath and says he's standing right next to Geraldine. I think she actually attended this fight.
