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What happened to Sonny Liston vs Ali?
On February 25, 1964, 22-year-old Cassius Clay shocks the odds-makers by dethroning world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston in a seventh-round technical knockout.
What happened to Sonny Liston the boxer?
Coroners determined he had died at least a week earlier. The cause of death remains a mystery. Officially, Liston died of heart failure and lung congestion, but needle marks found in his arm suggest he may have died of a heroin overdose. Some believe mobsters murdered him.
How did Sonny Liston become the world heavyweight champion?
Sonny Liston. A dominant contender of his era, he became the world heavyweight champion in 1962 after knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round, repeating the knockout the following year in defense of the title; in the latter fight he also became the inaugural WBC heavyweight champion. Liston was particularly known for his toughness,…
How did the mob help Sonny Liston get so many fights?
This is where the mob would go on to play a crucial role in Liston’s entire life, making sure their man managed to get fights. After all, even Muhammad Ali once said: “Of all the men I fought in boxing, Sonny Liston was the scariest.” The mob set up fights for Liston, helping the hulking figure get fights he could never have dreamt of.
When did Muhammad Ali first fight Sonny Liston?
Even before the first punch was thrown, the May 25, 1965 bout between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, during which the photo was snapped, was already shaping up to be the stuff of legends. Ali first fought Liston in 1964 as Cassius Clay The match had more storylines than a soap opera.
What is the real name of Sonny Liston?
Sonny Liston. Sonny Liston, byname of Charles Liston, also called the Bear, (born May 8, 1932?, St. Francis county, Arkansas, U.S.—died December 30, 1970, Las Vegas, Nevada), American boxer who was world heavyweight boxing champion from September 25, 1962, when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in the first round in Chicago, until February 25,…