Sonny Liston one of the greatest

[JAB5239]

I never knew he was a mam too!!! Ha ha jab that is what they call mothers up north!!!

Zip it. That's ENOUGH from the peanut gallery!!!!

[BKM-]

I'm not calling him a bad person. But being a "good: mam and having a good heart are different in my opinion. Definitely misunderstood though.

Good point. it's pretty hard to form an accurate opinion on his character though. So many of the stories about Liston can't be verified. I mean we know the stuff about him getting drunk and getting into fights with the police several times, and getting into bar fights, public intoxication etc. That stuff is on record. he clearly had a drinking problem.

But then there's the side of him that was supposedly mobbed up. As the mob had a heavy influence on boxing in that era, they say Sonny couldn't avoid it if he wanted to climb on top of the sport. I get that. But then there's the stories that after he was past his prime and hard up for money he was involved even deeper in that life. The worst thing I know of that Liston is accused of is being involved with loan sharks where he allegedly was a collector. Now I don't know if that's false but I gotta say it sounds like folklore. Liston was still one of the most famous athletes in the country back then, and he's just showing up at people's houses as a leg breaker? I don't know, sounds far fetched.

[JAB5239]

Good point. it's pretty hard to form an accurate opinion on his character though. So many of the stories about Liston can't be verified. I mean we know the stuff about him getting drunk and getting into fights with the police several times, and getting into bar fights, public intoxication etc. That stuff is on record. he clearly had a drinking problem.

But then there's the side of him that was supposedly mobbed up. As the mob had a heavy influence on boxing in that era, they say Sonny couldn't avoid it if he wanted to climb on top of the sport. I get that. But then there's the stories that after he was past his prime and hard up for money he was involved even deeper in that life. The worst thing I know of that Liston is accused of is being involved with loan sharks where he allegedly was a collector. Now I don't know if that's false but I gotta say it sounds like folklore. Liston was still one of the most famous athletes in the country back then, and he's just showing up at people's houses as a leg breaker? I don't know, sounds far fetched.

I've never bought into that for exactly the reason you've said. No way a man of that stature is breaking legs, thumbs or even threatening people for the wise guys without someone rolling over. I've got a deep appreciation for Sonny's boxing career, but I need to dive a little deeper into his entirely life. A fascinating man for surr.

[QueensburyRules]

Good point. it's pretty hard to form an accurate opinion on his character though. So many of the stories about Liston can't be verified. I mean we know the stuff about him getting drunk and getting into fights with the police several times, and getting into bar fights, public intoxication etc. That stuff is on record. he clearly had a drinking problem.

But then there's the side of him that was supposedly mobbed up. As the mob had a heavy influence on boxing in that era, they say Sonny couldn't avoid it if he wanted to climb on top of the sport. I get that. But then there's the stories that after he was past his prime and hard up for money he was involved even deeper in that life. The worst thing I know of that Liston is accused of is being involved with loan sharks where he allegedly was a collector. Now I don't know if that's false but I gotta say it sounds like folklore. Liston was still one of the most famous athletes in the country back then, and he's just showing up at people's houses as a leg breaker? I don't know, sounds far fetched.

- - Prior to taking up boxing Liston was a young thug used by mature thugs or mobsters or monsters...whatever he was, his marriage and title helped change him into a civilized, more educated man.

[solidman]

its a shame he died so young although you feel it was inevitable due to the fast life he lived.

[Mr Mitts]

Only not sure if Liston had the pace in him to beat a Frazier. If the fight goes very long Sonny will be thoroughly tested for stamina.

[Anomalocaris]

I've never bought into that for exactly the reason you've said. No way a man of that stature is breaking legs, thumbs or even threatening people for the wise guys without someone rolling over. I've got a deep appreciation for Sonny's boxing career, but I need to dive a little deeper into his entirely life. A fascinating man for surr.

Mate if you have not seen it watch Rainy Days Boxing on Youtube.

The documentary he created on Sonny is absolute perfection.

I must have watched it 25 times.

I also agree the legbreaking stories are bollocks.

The heavyweight champion of the world turns up at someone's house to bust them up?

[Anomalocaris]

Only not sure if Liston had the pace in him to beat a Frazier. If the fight goes very long Sonny will be thoroughly tested for stamina.

The thing is it won't go very long.

Six rounds at most.

Sonny was all wrong for Joe (as much as I love him).

[max baer]

Mate if you have not seen it watch Rainy Days Boxing on Youtube.

The documentary he created on Sonny is absolute perfection.

I must have watched it 25 times.

I also agree the legbreaking stories are bollocks.

The heavyweight champion of the world turns up at someone's house to bust them up?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skPKlBRNMOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VIOU8Ir5eY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE8_SlTxKYg
these are rainy day boxing vids about liston like you said, i am learning a lot about him. it is good for me learn new stuff about a boxer i thought i already knew enough about but was wrong.

[max baer]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/nort...i_boxing.shtml an interesting thing i learned a few years ago was that ali visited the north of england too this article is about it.
it was amazing one of the world's most famous loved men visiting such a working class ordinary place. the fans loved him. when tyson visited brixton years ago the black community went mad about his visit. the uk are good at giving a great welcome to their boxing heroes.