Did you know Sonny Liston went 15-1 after the Ali fights?

[texasboi15]

He died at the age of 38, still relatively young, with a final record of 50-4-0.

Why was he never a contender again?

Drugs?

Black-balled?

[F l i c k e r]

phantom punch

[Forza]

I remember seeing him get brutally K.O'd, think it was maybe his last fight. Was a sad sight to see.

[D-MiZe]

What's the story about his death being a conspiracy?

He died of a suspected heroin overdose but never did any sort of drug, they couldn't find any evidence etc.

[Forza]

What's the story about his death being a conspiracy?

He died of a suspected heroin overdose but never did any sort of drug, they couldn't find any evidence etc.

He was an avid drug user and alcoholic. I think he died from a speedball just like john belushi.

[ThePrince]

Sonny had issues with the Mafia...

[Forza]

Sonny had the street smarts not to mess with the mob.

Mixing heroin with cocaine is dangerous

[D-MiZe]

In the midst of negotiations for a match with Canadian Champion George Chuvalo, Liston's wife found him dead in their Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971. On returning from a trip Geraldine had smelt a foul odor emanating from the main bedroom and on entering saw Sonny slumped up against the bed, a broken foot bench was on the floor. The day of his death on his death certificate is December 30, 1970 which police estimated by judging the number of milk bottles and newspapers at the front door. Following an investigation, Las Vegas police concluded that there were no signs of foul play and declared it a heroin overdose. An autopsy revealed traces of morphine and codeine of a type produced by the breakdown of heroin in the body, however the advanced state of decomposition meant that tests were inconclusive and officially Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure. He had been suffering from hardening of the heart muscle and lung disease before his death.

Some, however, believe that the police investigation was a coverup, and the cause of Liston's death remains unresolved. After winning the title, Liston at first refused to go on an exhibition tour of Europe when he was told he would have to get shots before he could travel overseas. Liston's wife also reported that her husband would refuse basic medical care for common colds because of his dislike of needles. This, coupled with the fact that Liston was never known to be a substance abuser (besides heavy drinking), prompted rumors that he could have been murdered by some of his underworld contacts. Sonny's wife had a vivid dream the night of December 28, in which Sonny was in a shower shouting "Help me, Geraldine, help me, Geraldine".
Additionally, authorities could not locate any other drug paraphernalia that Liston presumably would have needed to inject the fatal dose, such as a spoon to cook the heroin or an appendage to wrap around his arm. This only added to the mystery surrounding his death. A friend of Liston's told "Unsolved Mysteries" that Liston had been in a car accident a few weeks prior to his death. Liston was hospitalized with minor injuries, and received intravenous medicine. This is believed to be the source of the puncture wound that authorities found upon discovering Liston's body.

[JAB5239]

He was an avid drug user and alcoholic. I think he died from a speedball just like john belushi.

Sonny had the street smarts not to mess with the mob.

Mixing heroin with cocaine is dangerous

You certainly love to make unfounded claims and than duck the questions which shed light on the truth. Please provide links and proof that Liston was an "avid" user of cocaine or heroin.

[Herschlag]

Imagine the kinds of bums he must've been fighting to go 15-1.

The funny thing about it is that pro Liston kids always point to him being shot when he took on Ali.