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1. According to Liston's police record, he was born in 1928, which would make him 5 years older, than his 'Ring Age'
2. He was arrested 19 times and went to prison for violence related crimes..
3. Throughout the 5 years he served at Jefferson Penetantary, he wasn't allowed to speak, due to a strict code of silence that had been enforced by the prison governors.. Liston said of his time behind bars, "I didn't mind prison to much, it was the 1st time i ever got 3 meals a day?"
4. J. Edgar Hoover, the then director of the FBI, had his own special file on Liston..
5. Before fighting Liston, in his last fight as champ, Floyd Patterson was summoned to the White House and urged by John F Kennedy, to "make sure you beat him, as the reputation of our country depends on it."
6. After resting the title from Patterson, an elated Liston immediately prepared a speech for the airport reception..
Well known writer, Jack McKinney, who was travelling from Chicago with him at the time, recalled; "in it, it said, I now a lot of my own people have been against me, but i want to proove to them that i'm not gonna embarrass them, i'll make them proud."
He then went on to say, "On arriving in Philadelphia, Sonny took a step outside and stood there for a moment, just looking.. I could see him looking both ways.. Nothing. Noboby was there.. I could almost see the air go out of him.. The big broad shoulders infront of me just seemed to sag."
7. In 1963, Liston was sued by an ex-bodyguard for allegedly raping his wife..
Rumour has it, that the mob were involved in hushing this up..
8. Cleveland Williams's wife, Irene, once danced with Liston, and described him as 'the perfect gentleman, and a nice person, who just wanted to be accepted by society." This was despite him knocking her husband out on 2 occasions..
9. Shortly after becoming champ, Liston enrolled with the local church, originally to avoid Police harassment, but grew to like it, doing a lot for charity, and showing his softer side, especially with children who he adored.
The church priest, Father Murphy, became one of Sonny's closest friends..
10. I wouldn't know why, but Sonny and his wife Geraldine, couldn't have children of their own, and adopted a baby boy who they named Davey..
Liston was a very proud father and absolutely doted on the child..
11. Minutes before Liston's 1964 rematch with Ali, the retired Joe Louis went to Sonny's dressing room to wish him luck..
"Joe, I don't feel so good," grumbled Liston..
"Whadaya mean?" asked Louis..
Liston's head was on his massive chest, before he finally looked up and mumbled to Louis, "Just aint right, Joe."
Sonny's concerned wife, had already pleaded with him to, "Go down, rather than risk serious injury."
12. Sonny could always revert to type.. Shortly before the assassination of JFK, Liston and his publicity man, Ben Bentley were invited to Washington to meet vice-president Lyndon Johnson.. As Johnson talked compulsively while showing them around his luxury office appartment, Liston looked at Bentley and whispered, "Whadaya say we blow this bum off?"
2. He was arrested 19 times and went to prison for violence related crimes..
3. Throughout the 5 years he served at Jefferson Penetantary, he wasn't allowed to speak, due to a strict code of silence that had been enforced by the prison governors.. Liston said of his time behind bars, "I didn't mind prison to much, it was the 1st time i ever got 3 meals a day?"
4. J. Edgar Hoover, the then director of the FBI, had his own special file on Liston..
5. Before fighting Liston, in his last fight as champ, Floyd Patterson was summoned to the White House and urged by John F Kennedy, to "make sure you beat him, as the reputation of our country depends on it."
6. After resting the title from Patterson, an elated Liston immediately prepared a speech for the airport reception..
Well known writer, Jack McKinney, who was travelling from Chicago with him at the time, recalled; "in it, it said, I now a lot of my own people have been against me, but i want to proove to them that i'm not gonna embarrass them, i'll make them proud."
He then went on to say, "On arriving in Philadelphia, Sonny took a step outside and stood there for a moment, just looking.. I could see him looking both ways.. Nothing. Noboby was there.. I could almost see the air go out of him.. The big broad shoulders infront of me just seemed to sag."
7. In 1963, Liston was sued by an ex-bodyguard for allegedly raping his wife..
Rumour has it, that the mob were involved in hushing this up..
8. Cleveland Williams's wife, Irene, once danced with Liston, and described him as 'the perfect gentleman, and a nice person, who just wanted to be accepted by society." This was despite him knocking her husband out on 2 occasions..
9. Shortly after becoming champ, Liston enrolled with the local church, originally to avoid Police harassment, but grew to like it, doing a lot for charity, and showing his softer side, especially with children who he adored.
The church priest, Father Murphy, became one of Sonny's closest friends..
10. I wouldn't know why, but Sonny and his wife Geraldine, couldn't have children of their own, and adopted a baby boy who they named Davey..
Liston was a very proud father and absolutely doted on the child..
11. Minutes before Liston's 1964 rematch with Ali, the retired Joe Louis went to Sonny's dressing room to wish him luck..
"Joe, I don't feel so good," grumbled Liston..
"Whadaya mean?" asked Louis..
Liston's head was on his massive chest, before he finally looked up and mumbled to Louis, "Just aint right, Joe."
Sonny's concerned wife, had already pleaded with him to, "Go down, rather than risk serious injury."
12. Sonny could always revert to type.. Shortly before the assassination of JFK, Liston and his publicity man, Ben Bentley were invited to Washington to meet vice-president Lyndon Johnson.. As Johnson talked compulsively while showing them around his luxury office appartment, Liston looked at Bentley and whispered, "Whadaya say we blow this bum off?"
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