For more information, contact 501-918-3025 orcalsfoundation@cals.org. Thus, cloaking the heavyweight champion of the world--the epitome of masculinity and male supremacy--in a Santa Claus hat was the height of irony at the time. Sonny Liston had a controversial boxing career, winning 54 of 58 bouts from 1953 to 1970. His alcoholic and violent father was thirty years older than Sonnys mother. . At the age of 16, Listonmore than 6 feet tall and weighing 200 poundsbecame a menacing presence in his neighborhood, occasionally working as a strike-breaking labor goon. (Which isn't to say that Liston took advantage of Father Murphy, or that he had a disregard for what Father Murphy had to say. His final record as a professional was fifty wins, thirty-nine by knockout, and four losses. WebAnswer (1 of 2): At anytime in their careers Clay / Ali would have been too fast and elusive for Sonny. Or it would be history, if boxing historians would stop sweeping the legacy of Sonny Liston under the ring canvas. In 1996 when Mike Tyson KO'd Bruce Seldon in one round for the WBA Heavyweight Championship, Tyson had won the WBC Heavyweight Championship six months earlier and was seeking to unify the title. He continued fighting until June 29, 1970, when he knocked out Chuck Wepner, but he never got another title shot. He compiled a career record of 50-4, competing against such boxing legends as Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson. 72201. Liston claimed he was born in Donations made to the CALS Foundation are tax-deductible for United States federal income tax purposes. Served 7 months in jail for beating up a police officer over a parking ticket in St. Louis in the mid-1950s. Education: Sonny Liston Net Worth: Sonny Liston net worth or net income is estimated to be between $1 Million $5 Million dollars. Joe Louis rated Liston's jab one of the best in boxing history. The son of tenant farmer Tobey Liston and his second wife, Helen, Liston was the 24th of his fathers 25 children. By all accounts, Liston had a woeful childhood. He knocked out the reigning world champion in the first round. After winning most of his matches by knockout, he turned pro in 1951. On Popular Bio, He is one of the successful Boxer. Liston continued fighting following the loss of his title, mainly because it was the only legal way he knew how to make a buck. He was one of many children one account lists 22 siblings and half-siblings. Due to the poverty in the family, Sonny never went to school. Even as champion, Liston was never able to escape his prison beginnings or the allegations of mob connections. However, his career was marred by criminal activity and, later, accusations of mob connections and throwing fights. Charles L. Sonny Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas, to Tobe Liston and Helen Baskin. His father was 30 years older than his mother. Known for his powerful punch, the majority of his victories were knockouts. Liston was raised on heavy farm work, many beatings and with virtually no schooling. aged 38years old. contains thousands of pictures and GeneaStars. The son of tenant farmer Tobey Liston and his second wife, Helen, Liston was the 24th of his father's 25 children. The official cause of death was lung congestion and heart failure, although Liston had fresh needle marks on his arm and police discovered heroin and a syringe in the house. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). His death was as mysterious as his birth. Least of all, Sonny himself. In his next fight he bounced back to TKO Chuck Wepner shortly before his mysterious death in 1970. 1932-1970 Sonny Liston was the heavyweight boxing champion from 1962 to 1964. Sonny Liston was introduced to boxing by Reverend Father Alois Stevens. Change). After having his license revoked, Liston made a smart decision, as he had when he bought out Barone. For a while, he even lost his license to box in the United States. He sold pecans from his brother-in-laws tree in order to reunite with his mother and his siblings. The son of tenant farmer Tobey Liston and his second wife, Helen, Liston was the 24th of his fathers 25 children. Gallender, Paul. Owing to his bold physique and strict upbringing, Liston loved training. Liston was buried in Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas, Nevada, beneath a simple gravestone. Lets check, How Rich is Sonny Liston in 2020-2022? Former World Heavyweight Champion who learned to fight while in jail. in Sand Slough, Arkansas, USA , United States, Died on December 30, 1970 Maybe Liston realized that he couldn't beat the youthful Clay/Ali, and he opted not to get up off the canvas in round one instead of absorbing another beating. Liston lost his rematch to Ali in May 1965. Let's check, How Rich is Ivn P, Mario Daser estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Tosches, Nick. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us. A story is told of Liston ordering his driver to stop on a busy highway, so that Liston could go and buy some pencils from an obviously poor, old, white women whom he had observed. Liston won 13 of his first 14 bouts before trouble with the law cost him his freedom a second time. There were rumors of drug peddling, heroin use, and murder, but no answers. Less than a year later in Miami Beach, Liston lost his title to Cassius Clay when he refused to answer the bell for the seventh round, claiming a shoulder industry. Liston excelled in his newfound love, boxing, and, after a short amateur career, turned professional. Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas, around 1932. WebPatterson defended against Liston in Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 25, 1962, and the rest is history. Liston claimed he was born in 1932, yet his rap sheet for his 1950 arrest for armed robbery listed his age as 22, making him born in 1928. Liston was raised on heavy farm work, many beatings, and with virtually no schooling. During that same period, he got married (in 1957 to Geraldine Clark), moved from St. Louis to Philadelphia, and was questioned by a congressional committee about the takeover of his management by mob elements in 1960. Liston had a rough and violent childhood. He had the biggest fist of any heavyweight champion: 15 inches. Nine years of steady fighting later, and following additional scrapes with the law (fourteen arrests between 1953 and 1958 and a conviction in 1956 for assaulting a police officer), Liston finally fought Floyd Patterson for the Heavyweight Championship. As for the rematch between the two fighters in an ice rink in Lewiston, Maine, in May of 1965, there are a lot of possible explanations for Liston's bizarre actions that night. He climbed back into the ring on June 29, 1970, registering a 10th-round technical knockout against Bayonne Bleeder Chuck Wepner. Along with his many siblings, Liston grew up working in the local cotton fields. {{ media.date_translated }}, {{ asCtrl.bannerRights.content|translate }}, The Geneanet family trees are powered by Geneweb 7.0. He continued fighting until June 29, 1970, when he knocked out Chuck Wepner, but he never got another title shot. Sonny Listons height Unknown & weight Not Available right. If it was truly a fix, then Liston would have found a way to avoid taking the punishment that he received at Clay's hands before retiring on his stool after the sixth round. (LogOut/ Liston won 26 consecutive bouts, moving inexorably toward the heavyweight championship. On this date in 1964, a heavily favored Liston lost his title to upstart Cassius Clay, soon to be Muhammad Ali. After a little while, Liston followed his mother and was reunited with his other siblings. If there is a flaw in Tosches' book, it's that the author seems bent on carrying the theme of Liston and the mob beyond its logical parameters. Sonny Liston was a violent person even outside the ring. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. 100 Rock Street He rose from poverty in the rural south to become one of the most dominant and feared professional fighters of the 20th century. Listons career was interrupted for nine months beginning in December 1956, when he was sent to the St. Louis workhouse for assaulting a policeman and stealing the officers gun. At the age of thirteen, he ran away to St. Louis, Missouri, following his mother, who had left earlier. Mee, Bob. Dating is to describe a stage in a persons life when he or she is actively pursuing romantic relationships with different people. Liston was raised on heavy farm work, many beatings and with virtually no schooling. Let's check, How Rich is Ben, All You Need To Know About Tamara Hurwitz. He managed to turn his cruel past to his advantage. Some suspect foul play; others believe Liston died of a self-inflicted drug overdose. His opponent abandoned the match midway. Is mentioned in the song "Swinging" by Tom Petty. Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Sonny Liston, Birth Year: 1932, Birth date: May 8, 1932, Birth State: Arkansas, Birth City: St Francis County, Birth Country: United States. The subsequent rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965, included the infamous phantom punch. Though it appeared that Liston had barely been grazed by Clays right fist, the boxer went down just one minute and 45 seconds into the first round. Basically, for a guy like Liston, it meant that you either dealt with them, or you didn't deal at all. Boxer Charles L. Sonny Liston was bornin St. Francis County, Arkansason May 8, 1932. The Devil and Sonny Liston. Liston didn't find gainful employment in St. Louis. Liston was buried in the Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas under the simplest of epitaphs: A MAN.. All Rights Reserved. He was sired by Lawman out of the Galileo mare Stars In Your Eyes. He became a professional fighter on September 2, 1953, when he knocked out Don Smith in a single round in St. Louis. Sand Slough, Arkansas, United States of America, Sonny Liston is still regarded as the best heavyweight boxer with a taste of violence. Introduced to boxing by Father Stevens in the St. Louis City Jail during 1950. Sonny Liston estimated Net Worth, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. 4 among heavyweights, on Dec. 4, 1961. He organized a criminal gang that robbed and mugged locals. He never shied away from street fights. He was trained by Willie Redish and later by Dick Sadler. In 1950, he was arrested by the police. General Melvin Krulewitch, chairman of the New York Boxing Commission in the 1950s, refused to issue Liston a license to fight in New York because he was guilty of associating with "questionable" characters. He was thirty-eight years. Liston was sentenced to nine months in jail. After his release, Liston relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his career quickly flourished again. He maintained a winning streak in eight matches. Soon caught (his crimes were inept, spur-of-the-moment, strong arm jobs) and charged with first-degree robbery and larceny, he was sentenced in 1950 to five years in the Missouri State Penitentiary. Get in on the latest boxing conversations in our Forum and comment on articles. Liston, who posted a career record of 50 wins and 4 losses with 39 knockouts, reveled in this role of the fighter America loved to hate. According to Wikipedia, Forbes, IMDb & Various Online resources, famous Boxer Sonny Listons net worth is $82 Million before He died. All Rights Reserved. While Liston was incarcerated, prison athletic director Father Alois Stevens introduced him to the sport of boxing. Pacific Grove, CA: Park Place Publications, 2012. To give back to society, he supported many children. In 1957, he was sentenced to nine months in the St. Louis workhouse for assaulting a police officer. The coroner picked December 30, 1970, as the date of death, and Liston was buried in the Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas under the simplest of epitaphs: A MAN.. Major funding provided by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. WebHe had seven siblings. Along with his many siblings, Liston grew up His best years were 195862 when he destroyed everyone while Patterson shamelessly ducked him. Sonny Liston was introduced to boxing while serving time in a Missouri State Penitentiary. Sonny never really had a Prime. | Hardly. He supported many in his life. It was a defense mechanism designed to keep people from getting too close. Geneastars | Facebook. He quickly destroyed all the leading heavyweight contenders--Roy Harris, Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams--to earn a title shot against Floyd Patterson. | Liston relocated to Denver with his wife Geraldine and friend/sparring partner Foneda Cox and underwent extensive counseling with Father Murphy. In the films the good guy always wins, but this is one bad guy who ain't gonna lose. Apart from his demeanor, Liston was a charming man with a captivating smile. Sonny Liston was introduced to boxing while serving time in a Missouri State Penitentiary. Sonny Liston: The Real Story behind the Ali-Liston Fights. The only misgiving was his association with the criminal gangs. boxer had the look of a champion. Clay is certainly to be counted among the greatest heavyweights of all time. On September 25, 1962, Liston made history by becoming the heavyweight champion. First World Heavyweight Boxing Champion banned from fighting in New York State by the New York Boxing Commission. In 1962, Liston went officially from being the poverty-stricken, illiterate child of an abusive tenant farmer in Arkansas to being the heavyweight champion of the whole world. Tosches, who hails from Newark, writes in an engaging style that is as beautifully stylish as a Liston left jab and as savagely straightforward. Major children and living persons must directly contact the. There were also times when he showed surprising compassion for the less fortunate. Liston's career was interrupted for nine months beginning in December 1956, when he was sent to the St. Louis workhouse for assaulting a policeman and stealing the officer's gun. He was referred to as the man with the steel punch and an iron chin.. in rural St. Francis County. His mother believed he was born in January, 1928, but Liston would later claim his birth date to be May 8, 1932. L'arbre contient des milliers de photos et GeneaStars. Liston penalized two points for low blows. Geraldine married Sonny Liston in 1950 Served a prison sentence at Missouri State Penitentiary for robbing a gas station at age 18. Liston turned professional in September 1953, earning his first paycheck in St. Louis with a first-round knockout of Don Smith. After his release, Liston relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his career quickly flourished again. There's no question that the hard-scrabble existence of youth prepared Liston for the success he would later enjoy as a prizefighter. Some believed that the fight was fixed as reported in later biographical works like The Devil and Sonny Liston (2000) by Nick Tosches. Charles "Sonny" Liston was pronounced dead at the scene. He went on to win several amateur matches. Liston was an excellent boxer. Liston continued to box until the time of his death. During the years that Liston was champ, the mob was in retreat. Known for his powerful punch, the majority of his victories were knockouts. contient des milliers de photos et GeneaStars. Twenty-two-year-old Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeated reigning world boxing champ Sonny Liston on this day in history, Feb. 25, 1964, in Miami, Florida. Foes like the murderous-punching Cleveland Williams, Mike DeJohn and Nino Valdez succumbed to Liston's heavy fists. The author begins appropriately at the beginning with his subject, providing more comprehensive information about Sonny's childhood than probably even Sonny himself knew. Outside of the ring, Liston had a charming personality. Nine years of steady fighting later, and following additional scrapes with the law, Liston fought Floyd Patterson for the Heavyweight Championship. Aligning himself with the Devil. Charles "Sonny" Liston was born into a sharecropping family who farmed the poor land of Morledge Plantation near Johnson Township, St. Francis County, Arkansas. In the end, one can't help feeling some sympathy for Liston. Scroll below and check our most recent updates about Sonny Liston Net Worth, Salary, Biography, Age, Charles Sonny Liston was a noted boxer who briefly reigned as Heavyweight Champion after a first-round knockout against Floyd Patterson. Publicity Listings His dad was an abusive alcoholic and at the age of 13, Sonny left to live with his aunt in He died under mysterious conditions on December 30, 1970. His death certificate states his death as December 30, 1970, based on milk deliveries at his doorstep. That doesn't make sense. He cleared out his opponents to become the topmost contender. His father was an abusive alcoholic, and Liston eventually left the house during his teens. Wrong username or password. Copyright 2020, ARKANSAS SOUL MEDIA. Creating an account gives you access to all these features. It has been rumored that the crime boss John Vitale arranged for his early release. He, however, won in the subsequent rematch. Tosches does a nice piece of reporting on the incident that led to Liston's arrest, objectively revealing all available viewpoints. He had his first competitive match in prison. He died in Vegas as mysteriously as he had lived, a man bent under a great shadow, afflicted by a legion of personal demons that no one could exorcise. What advantage would there be to having the brash young boxer from Louisville installed as heavyweight champ in place of Liston? Honor or memorial gifts are an everlasting way to pay tribute to someone who has touched your life. His 17-year ring log was an impressive 50-4 with 39 knockouts. Sonny had to put the proper face forward to the public. At the age of 16, Listonmore than 6 feet tall and weighing 200 poundsbecame a menacing presence in his neighborhood, occasionally working as a strike-breaking labor goon. His ring style was the essence of simplicity; he displayed little finesse but much raw power, especially in his left hand. Some Thoughts on Boxing, Jake Paul, and Asking Why We Fight Served time in prison for robbery and later for assaulting a police officer. Sonny Liston keeps his personal and love life private. Unfortunately, the same dark forces that forged Liston's destructiveness in the ring also fueled a distrust for the police and a bent toward criminal activity that would lead to two stints in the Missouri state prison system. Sonny Liston was born in Sand Slough, AR on May 8, 1932. Liston, one of 25 children by his father, is reputed to have been born in May 1932, yet prison records show various birth dates, among them 1928. His relationship status is single. All Rights Reserved. The rematch in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 22 1963, was another first-round knockout, with Patterson counted out in two minutes, twenty-three seconds. Before he was 18, Liston was convicted of six muggings. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. WebAsuncin "Sunny" Cummings Hostin (/ h s t n /; born October 20, 1968) is an American lawyer, journalist, and television host.Hostin is co-host on ABC's morning talk show The Liston destroyed the champion in one round and destroyed him again in the rematch. Sonny Liston: His Life, Strife, and the Phantom Punch. L'arbre Liston, who was viewed as nearly invincible before the fight, was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round, and Clay (soon to take the nameMuhammad Ali) was named champion on February 25, 1964. Give a donation in someones name to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or colleague or remember a beloved family member. From the time he was old enough to be useful in the fields, Sonny was a laborer for his tenant farmer father. Known for scowling at opponents, he combined an intimidating ring presence with awesome power. Why he died remains one of sport's most enduring mysteries. He was caught and charged with first-degree robbery and larceny, and was sentenced in 1950 to 5 years in the Missouri State Penitentiary. In 1966, following his loss to Clay, Liston launched a comeback. Sonny Liston was born on May 8, probably 1932, to Tobe and Helen (Baskin) Liston, African-American sharecroppers in rural St. Francis County. With Cus DAmato as his coach, Liston reigned as champion for seventeen months. Major support provided through a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism. Very little is known about his birth and his It was scandal on top of scandal; Listons reputation, already tainted by prison time, allegations of mob connections, and charges of sexual assault, never recovered. Following his release from the workhouse, Liston quickly returned to the ring against Hunter and got his career back on track. Astrological Sign: Taurus, Death Year: 1970, Death date: December 30, 1970, Death State: Nevada, Death City: Las Vegas, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Sonny Liston Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/sonny-liston, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 23, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Along with his many siblings, Liston grew up working in the local cotton fields. The title fight was in Chicago, Illinois, on September 25, 1962, with a wide public pulling for the champ (including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and authors James Baldwin and Norman Mailer). Primary Income source Boxer (profession). Time magazine photograph of Ali standing over Liston, taunting him, is one of the most popularly published in boxing. Full body measurements, dress & shoe size will be updated soon. He earned the money being a professional Boxer. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The dark side is evident. Owing to his many siblings and a brutal, hardscrabble Arkansas childhood with an abusive father (excruciatingly detailed in the movie and book), Liston had an affinity for needy children. Tired of being exploited as a manual laborer, Sonny Liston turned to crime. Liston was arrested more than 20 times. When Sonny KO'd Floyd Patterson in 1962 for The World Heavyweight Championship,he became the only challenger to win that title by a first round KO. Reverend Stevens was both the prisons chaplain and sports director. WebListon retired on his stool citing an injured shoulder; After this fight Cassius Clay changed his name to Cassius X and then to Muhammad Ali; 1964 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. William Friedkin was intended to direct his biopic "Night Train" with Ving Rhames as Sonny Liston. Liston went down in the first round, felled by a punch few saw. Paroled in 1952, Liston quickly captured the local Golden Gloves championship. The most noticeable being his win over Ed Sanders. Liston was the 12th of 13 children born to Tobe and Helen Liston (and one of 25 children sired by Tobe). Because of this alliance, which was public knowledge, Liston was called before the committee investigating organized crime that had been established by Tennessee Democratic Senator Estes Kefauver. For additional information: He was still a fringe contender at the age of 40 or so when he died under mysterious circumstances in December of 1970 at his house in Las Vegas. After being unable to reach Liston for 12 days, his wife Geraldine returned to their Nevada home on January 5, 1971, at which time she discovered Liston's dead body. Sonny Liston has been died on Dec 30, 1970 ( age 38). In Michael Mann's Ali, Liston was portrayed by famous boxer Michael Bentt, with whom he shares a strong resemblance. Paroled in 1952, he had a brief amateur career, winning several Golden Gloves championships and defeating 1952 Olympic heavyweight champion Ed Sanders. Just three months after Sonny's move to Denver, his license was reinstated. London: Aurum Press, 2008. (LogOut/ However, it turned out to be his stepdaughter, the daughter of his wife. When Liston died, he was rated 7th in the world heavyweight rankings by Ring Magazine. Sonny Liston was born on May 8, probably 1932, to Tobe and Helen (Baskin) Liston, African-American sharecroppers in rural St. Francis County. During his two-plus years in the state penitentiary, Liston attained a new nickname, "Sonny," and a new vocation, boxing. Was the favorite fighter of the famous Fab Four, the Beatles, and he appears on their "Sgt. Sonny was probably born in 1929, but no one knows for sure. His last fight was against Chuck Wepner. Womanizing. In October 1952, Liston was released on parole. Tobe was mean to his children, and especially to Sonny. In St. Louis, he quickly encountered problems with the local police. The official cause of his death was given as cardiac arrest and lung congestion. Pre-European Exploration, Prehistory through 1540, European Exploration and Settlement, 1541 through 1802, Louisiana Purchase through Early Statehood, 1803 through 1860, Civil War through Reconstruction, 1861 through 1874, Post-Reconstruction through the Gilded Age, 1875 through 1900, Early Twentieth Century, 1901 through 1940, World War II through the Faubus Era, 1941 through 1967, Divergent Prosperity and the Arc of Reform, 19682022, World War II through the Faubus Era (1941 - 1967). As a young man in 1949, Liston left Arkansas for good and followed his mother's footsteps to St. Louis. Liston, in fact, had great respect for Father Murphy and behaved admirably around him. As with the date of Liston's birth, no one knows for sure. He is one of the Richest Boxer who was born in AR. - IMDb Mini Biography By: The subsequent rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965, included the infamous "phantom punch." Rate and review titles you borrow and share your opinions on them. WebSonny Liston Photo Gallery. His mother worked several jobs to support her children. He died circa December 30, 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He defeated heavyweight contenders Roy Harris, Zora Folley, Eddie Machen, Cleveland Williams, Mike DeJohn, Henry Clark, and Chuck Wepner. Much of what Tosches gleans about Liston's youth stem from interviews with people who lived on the Morledge Plantation in the 1930s and from Sonny's older half-brother E.B. Additional support provided by the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation Inc. The first time you log in to our catalog you will need to create an account. Official Sites. Hungry fighters eager to break free from the shackles of their own environment bring an element of savage desperation into their ring encounters. In 1950, Liston was arrested at his apartment at 1006 O'Fallon Street for robbing the Unique Cafe on 1502 Market Street in St. Louis for 37 dollars. Sonny Liston existed, and, Ali bouts or no Ali bouts, he was one of the greatest fighters to ever lace on a glove. Gambling. She was working in a shoe factory when her son Charles unexpectedly came to the city and looked her up. Additional support provided by the Arkansas Community Foundation. His epitaph reads: "A Man.".