Sonny Liston biography
Sonny Liston, byname of Charles Liston, additionally known as 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 within the first spherical in Chicago, till February 25, 1964, when he stopped preventing Cassius Clay (afterward Muhammad Ali) earlier than the seventh spherical at Miami Beach, Florida.
Liston, the son of a tenant farmer, served two lengthy phrases in jail, the place he's mentioned to have realized to field. Although he gave his start 12 months as 1932, there's proof that he might need begun his ring profession as early as 1934, on the age of 17, beneath the title of Charles (“Sailor”) Liston. If that's true, he was 45 years previous when he gained the championship.
Liston was famous for his punching energy and sturdiness. From 1953 (his first recorded combat) via 1970 Liston, who stood 6 ft 1 inch (1.85 metres) tall and weighed 215 kilos (97.5 kg), had 54 bouts, profitable 39 by knockouts and dropping solely 4. He defended his title efficiently solely as soon as, scoring one other first-round knockout over Patterson, however in his subsequent bout he complained of an damage after six rounds and refused to proceed preventing in opposition to Clay. In a rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965, Liston was knocked out within the first spherical. On January 5, 1971, he was discovered useless at his residence in Las Vegas, Nevada. His loss of life certificates recorded his loss of life date as December 30, 1970.