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

[ThePrince]

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

Sonny was involved with the mob from the time he began his pro career, this is well documented. Also,

Officially, Liston died of heart failure and lung congestion, but needle marks found in his arm suggest he may have died of a heroin overdose. Some believe mobsters murdered him. At least one acquaintance suggested Liston was involved in a loan-sharking ring and was demanding a bigger stake.

http://espn.go.com/classic/biography...ton_Sonny.html

That's a great way to die mysteriously.

Mixing heroin with cocaine is dangerous

Everyone who knew him, including his wife said that he hated needles and would even risk being seriously sick because he didn't want to get the necessary immunizations. He was definitely an alcoholic, but there is absolutely nothing to suggest he did cocaine and especially not heroin.

[IronDanHamza]

He also beat the absolute piss out of Chuck Wepner when he was old and well past his prime. According to Chuck, a worser beating than anyone has given him.

Decent, if you ask me.

[IronDanHamza]

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.

And he didn't like needles either.

Sonny Liston's death will always be an ongoing conspiracy. No one will ever know what actually happened and who, where or why.

But one thing we know is; is that there is more to Sonny Liston's death than what was told.

[D-MiZe]

Aye, I posted a couple of paragraphs of information ( previous page ) on Liston's death.

[jkaisen41]

I saw a little piece of an docu about him on youtube... and it was pretty depressing... this dude had really a sad, sad life... and his dead well yes, there were some mysteries around it most definitely

[Capaedia]

With 84" inch reach (same as Lennox), good fundamentals, strong punch and fine technical game, Liston was destined to age well as a boxer.

But don't be fooled by him going 15-1. He was no longer the man they used to compare to Joe Louis. He was no match for Ali or Frazier.

[IronDanHamza]

With 84" inch reach (same as Lennox), good fundamentals, strong punch and fine technical game, Liston was destined to age well as a boxer.

But don't be fooled by him going 15-1. He was no longer the man they used to compare to Joe Louis. He was no match for Ali or Frazier.

Harold Johnson would have whooped that ass had he not got injured.

[Cash Cow]

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?

[paulf]

You're looking at things as if it were fighters today, you got to look at the big picture. A quick look at boxrec will tell you.

1966-1967 After the Ali loss, fights 4 times in Sweden in the course of 9 months. Takes a year off.

1968 Fought 7 times for small paychecks against tomato cans. After one or two fights stateside, he probably could have gotten a bigger fight with a Chuvalo or somebody, but all those fights took place in the timeframe that fighters today would fight one or two fights.

1969 Fights three more times on his way to a clash for the brand new NABF title. Gets ****ing destroyed.

1970 Fights Wepner, dies.

There's nothing too unusual here in my opinion.

[IronDanHamza]

You're looking at things as if it were fighters today, you got to look at the big picture. A quick look at boxrec will tell you.

1966-1967 After the Ali loss, fights 4 times in Sweden in the course of 9 months. Takes a year off.

1968 Fought 7 times for small paychecks against tomato cans. After one or two fights stateside, he probably could have gotten a bigger fight with a Chuvalo or somebody, but all those fights took place in the timeframe that fighters today would fight one or two fights.

1969 Fights three more times on his way to a clash for the brand new NABF title. Gets ****ing destroyed.

1970 Fights Wepner, dies.

There's nothing too unusual here in my opinion.

I'm going to take a wild guess and presume you have never seen the Liston-Martin fight?

Liston was actually clearly ahead and beginning to put a beating on Martin until that beautiful shot landed and knocked him out.


He got hit with a good shot and went down. It happens.

But Liston was by absolutely no means 'destroyed' in that fight.