He went on to win several amateur matches. As with the date of Liston's birth, no one knows for sure. Sonny Liston has been died on Dec 30, 1970 ( age 38). The official cause of death was lung congestion and heart failure, although Liston had fresh needle marks on his arm and police discovered heroin and a syringe in the house. In St. Louis, he quickly encountered problems with the local police. Biography, Net Worth, Gossips, Salary, News & Much More. His father was an abusive alcoholic, and Liston eventually left the house during his teens. Gambling. Major children and living persons must directly contact the. When Liston died, he was rated 7th in the world heavyweight rankings by Ring Magazine. Nine years of steady fighting later, and following additional scrapes with the law (fourteen arrests between 1953 and 1958 and a conviction in 1956 for assaulting a police officer), Liston finally fought Floyd Patterson for the Heavyweight Championship. After his release, Liston relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his career quickly flourished again. He kept fighting and kept winning against a progressively better grade of opponents. Liston, who posted a career record of 50 wins and 4 losses with 39 knockouts, reveled in this role of the fighter America loved to hate. At the age of 13, he ran away to St. Louis, following his mother who had left earlier. Rate and review titles you borrow and share your opinions on them. He was sired by Lawman out of the Galileo mare Stars In Your Eyes. aged 38years old. Liston had a huge physique. At the age of 16, Listonmore than 6 feet tall and weighing 200 poundsbecame a menacing presence in his neighborhood, occasionally working as a strike-breaking labor goon. He was born in St. Francis in the state of Missouri, USA. Sonny Liston was born in Sand Slough, AR on May 8, 1932. George Foreman was his sparring partner from 1969 to 1970. Sonny Liston Lets take a look at Sonny Liston past relationships, ex-girlfriends and previous hookups. Along with his many siblings, Liston grew up working in the local cotton fields. Folley knocked down twice in 2nd round; 9 count and saved by the bell at 9 count. Boxer Charles L. Sonny Liston was bornin St. Francis County, Arkansason May 8, 1932. Give a donation in someones name to mark a special occasion, honor a friend or colleague or remember a beloved family member. Relationship with Timothy Michael Dowling (Sosa/Ahnentafel #1), Relationship with Geraldine Clark (spouse), Browse using this individual as Sosa/Ahnentafel #1, , born in1872 - Choctaw Co., MS, deceased, , born inApril1873 - Montgomery Co., MS, deceased, Sources: Dowling Family Tree - Tim Dowling - rootsweb, 2001-2015 - - electronic - I435533, Marriage (with Geraldine Clark) - St. Louis, MO, List of all individuals in the family tree, {{ 'gw_downgraded_access_back_to_max'|translate }}, Born 8May1932 - Sand Lough, St. Francis Co., AR, Deceased 30December1970 - Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV, He quickly learned how to box and within three years was fighting on the amateur circuit. WebHalf-siblings. Donations made to the CALS Foundation are tax-deductible for United States federal income tax purposes. Jack Dempsey and Roberto Duran are two cases in point. Full body measurements, dress & shoe size will be updated soon. Time magazine photograph of Ali standing over Liston, taunting him, is one of the most popularly published in boxing. When a tribute gift is given the honoree will receive a letter acknowledging your generosity and a bookplate will be placed in a book. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, The Man Behind the First All-Black Basketball Team, 8 Times Brothers Have Faced Off in a Championship, Every Black Quarterback to Play in the Super Bowl, Soccer Star Christian Atsu Survived an Earthquake. Liston didn't find gainful employment in St. Louis. Lets check, How Rich is Sonny Liston in 2020-2022? Auspiciously, the massive man is known as "The Bear" then won his first nine fights before dropping an eight-round decision to Marty Marshall. He quickly destroyed all the leading heavyweight contenders--Roy Harris, Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams--to earn a title shot against Floyd Patterson. The subsequent rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965, included the infamous "phantom punch." Or it would be history, if boxing historians would stop sweeping the legacy of Sonny Liston under the ring canvas. Sonny Liston was born on May 8, probably 1932, to Tobe and Helen (Baskin) Liston, African-American. Sonny had to put the proper face forward to the public. There, he became a thug, committing various muggings and robbery. The coroner picked December 30, 1970, as the date of death, and Liston was buried in the Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas under the simplest of epitaphs: A MAN.. Liston's purpose was to show the Pennylvania State Athletic Commission, and the world, that he was turning a new leaf. 72201. sonny liston Liston turned professional in September 1953, earning his first paycheck in St. Louis with a first-round knockout of Don Smith. At the age of 16, Listonmore than 6 feet tall and weighing 200 poundsbecame a menacing presence in his neighborhood, occasionally working as a strike-breaking labor goon. He was arrested twice in a period of months in Philadelphia in the summer of 1961. Liston was the second last in a family of twenty-five siblings. Sonny Liston was born on May 8, probably 1932, to Tobe and Helen (Baskin) Liston, African-American sharecroppers in rural St. Francis County. The reader can form his own conclusion based on the reports of those involved. Let's check, How Rich is Ivn P, Mario Daser estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. He acted in a number of films, the most famous being "Harlow" with Carroll Baker. In October 1952, Liston was released on parole. The place had a name, but it was not to be found on any map. Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (19321970) FamilySearch At the age of thirteen, he ran away to St. Louis, Missouri, following his mother, who had left earlier. The dark side is evident. He died in Vegas as mysteriously as he had lived, a man bent under a great shadow, afflicted by a legion of personal demons that no one could exorcise. Let's check, How Rich is Ben, All You Need To Know About Tamara Hurwitz. Cox, who was interviewed extensively by Tosches, went as far as to say that Liston would still be alive if he had "spent more time with Father Murphy."). He was officially knocked out by Muhammad Ali in one minute for the fastest KO in heavyweight history up to that time. As most boxing fans know, it was in the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City that Sonny learned to box. He maintained a winning streak in eight matches. General Melvin Krulewitch, chairman of the New York Boxing Commission in the 1950s, refused to issue Liston a license to fight in New York because he was guilty of associating with "questionable" characters. Sonny Liston was a violent person even outside the ring. Liston had a rough and violent childhood. When Sonny KO'd Floyd Patterson in 1962 for The World Heavyweight Championship,he became the only challenger to win that title by a first round KO. After the court case, he was sentenced to a five-year jail term in the Missouri State Prison. Less than a year later in Miami Beach, Liston lost his title to Cassius Clay when he refused to answer the bell for the seventh round, claiming a shoulder industry. Armed robbery. In the films the good guy always wins, but this is one bad guy who ain't gonna lose. He continued fighting until June 29, 1970, when he knocked out Chuck Wepner, but he never got another title shot. Why he died remains one of sport's most enduring mysteries. Just three months after Sonny's move to Denver, his license was reinstated. His parents were peasant farmers who grew cotton in the south. His time at the summit was brief. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Liston would later claim his birth date to be May 8, 1932, but that is off by at least two years. Sonny Liston was featured in a novel "Girl Fighter" with a brief reference to his early life, his rise to WBC heavyweight champion and his eventual losses to Clay/Ali. The official date of Charles L. Liston is given as May 8, 1932. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 2000. Liston lost his rematch to Ali in May 1965. His death was as mysterious as his birth. Sunny Hostin - Wikipedia At the age of 13, he ran away to St. Louis, following his mother who had left earlier. Cruel Beginnings. Family (1) Spouse Sonny Liston went from boxing champion and national anti-hero to a Las Vegas thug who drove around in a pink Cadillac and sold drugs. Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas, around 1932. Creating an account gives you access to all these features. Knocked out #2-rated heavyweight contender Roy Harris (27-1) in one round. His heavyweight title-winning victory on September 25, 1962, was indicative of his powerful style: After a mere two minutes, he knocked out Floyd Patterson, which marked the first time in history that a reigning heavyweight champion was counted out in the first round. Liston was raised on heavy farm work, many beatings and with virtually no schooling. There's no question that the hard-scrabble existence of youth prepared Liston for the success he would later enjoy as a prizefighter. Liston won 13 of his first 14 bouts before trouble with the law cost him his freedom a second time. His relationship status is single. Sonny Liston - Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays Some suspect foul play; others believe Liston died of a self-inflicted drug overdose. Served 7 months in jail for beating up a police officer over a parking ticket in St. Louis in the mid-1950s. The son of tenant farmer Tobey Liston and his second wife, Helen, Liston was the 24th of his father's 25 children. Liston excelled in his newfound love, boxing, and, after a short amateur career, turned professional. Much of what Tosches gleans about Liston's youth stem from interviews with people who lived on the Morledge Plantation in the 1930s and from Sonny's older half-brother E.B. His alcoholic and violent father was thirty years older than Sonnys mother. While Liston was incarcerated, prison athletic director Father Alois Stevens introduced him to the sport of boxing. That doesn't make sense. Sonny Liston was born on May 8, probably 1932, to Tobe and Helen (Baskin) Liston, African-American sharecroppers in rural St. Francis County. If you can, provide 1-2 sources of information backing up this correction. His mother separated from his father and went to St. Louis in Missouri. Sonny Liston Liston, who was viewed as nearly invincible before the fight, was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round, and Clay (soon to take the nameMuhammad Ali) was named champion on February 25, 1964. He died circa December 30, 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to Wikipedia, Forbes, IMDb & Various Online resources, famous Boxer Sonny Listons net worth is $82 Million before He died. Sonny Liston For all his womanizing, Liston had a respect for his wife Geraldine and was faithful to her in his own way. Liston was the 12th of 13 children born to Tobe and Helen Liston (and one of 25 children sired by Tobe). In a short amount of time, those felonious deeds cost Sonny Liston his freedom. He had his first competitive match in prison. WebAnswer (1 of 2): At anytime in their careers Clay / Ali would have been too fast and elusive for Sonny. He became a professional fighter on September 2, 1953, when he knocked out Don Smith in a single round in St. Louis. If there is a flaw in Tosches' book, it's that the author seems bent on carrying the theme of Liston and the mob beyond its logical parameters. WebHe was the 12th of 13 children born to Tobe Liston and Helen Baskin, and he endured frequent beatings as a child. He continued fighting until June 29, 1970, when he knocked out Chuck Wepner, but he never got another title shot. He married Geraldine Chambers on June 10, 1950. He was thirty-eight years. Eddie Dooley, chairman of the New York Boxing Commission in the 1960s, said that as long as he was chairman of the commission Sonny Liston would never be granted a license to box in New York State. He overcame tremendous odds to win the title and earn a measure of fame, but even so he was never embraced by the public. {{ mediasCtrl.getTitle(media, true) }} angelsunchained, Other Works Perhaps no keener insight can be gained from those early years, though, than from what Sonny himself was quoted as saying: "The only thing my old man ever gave me was a whipping.". He served brief prison terms and on one occasion was introduced to boxing by a prison chaplain. William Friedkin was intended to direct his biopic "Night Train" with Ving Rhames as Sonny Liston. His ring style was the essence of simplicity; he displayed little finesse but much raw power, especially in his left hand. He knocked out Floyd Patterson in 1962 to become world heavyweight champion. By all accounts, Liston had a woeful childhood. 2023 Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Sonny Liston was officially born on May 8th 1932, even if no one knows exactly when he was born, that is the date that he set up for all the official records. He became a professional fighter in 1953. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). Let's check, How Rich is Mario, Ben Villaflor estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Please try again. His dad was an abusive alcoholic and at the age of 13, Sonny left to live with his aunt in Heavyweight Boxer Sonny Liston On this date in 1964, a heavily favored Liston lost his title to upstart Cassius Clay, soon to be Muhammad Ali. Sonny Liston Reverend Stevens was both the prisons chaplain and sports director. On this date in 1964, a heavily favored Liston lost his title to upstart Cassius Clay, soon to be Muhammad Ali. Along with his many siblings, Liston grew up The tactic worked. Primary Income source Boxer (profession). Former World Heavyweight Champion who learned to fight while in jail. In 1966, following his loss to Clay, Liston launched a comeback. (LogOut/ Liston was buried in the Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas under the simplest of epitaphs: A MAN.. For a while, he even lost his license to box in the United States. At least two sexual assaults. On the same night at a different location, but on the same closed-circuit broadcast, Patterson defeated unheralded Tom McNeeley in four rounds in what would be the final successful defense of his crown. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. He started boxing in prison and was likely Hardly. In prison, encouraged by Catholic chaplains, Liston took up boxing, where he was an immediate and spectacular success. Pressure resulting from appearing before the committee, and from the diatribes of Patterson's manager Cus D'Amato, caused Liston to buy out the contract of his manager, Pep Barone, who was considered to be an undesirable, and name old-time Philadelphia political hack George Katz as his manager. The continual conflicts with the police. Scroll below and check our most recent updates about Sonny Liston Net Worth, Salary, Biography, Age, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, This form allows you to report an error or to submit additional information about this family tree: Sonny LISTON (1932), Copyright Wikipdia authors - This article is under licence CC BY-SA 3.0. He was friendly with his fans and had a soft spot for children. QUICK FACTS. With the help of a farsighted, black St. Louis businessman and some other backers who were aware of Sonny's potential, Liston pursued a ring career after leaving the joint and rejoining society at large. His father physically molested him. Early Life and Family: Before he was famous, He sold pecans from his brother-in-laws tree in order to reunite with his mother and his siblings. London: Aurum Press, 2008. Read our Privacy Policy. Family He had earned the title shot with an impressive string of 195960 victories over top contenders Cleveland Williams, Nino Valdes, Roy Harris, Zora Folley, and Eddie Machen (all knockouts except for Machen). Charles L. Sonny Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas, to Tobe Liston and Helen Baskin. His father was 30 years older than his mother. Sonny Liston was born on May 8, 1932 in Sand Slough, AR. WebParents and Siblings Charles L. "Sonny" Liston 19321970 Geraldine Chamber 19252005 Spouse and Children Charles L. "Sonny" Liston Male19321970 Male Paroled in 1952, he had a brief amateur career, winning several Golden Gloves championships and defeating 1952 Olympic heavyweight champion Ed Sanders. It was scandal on top of scandal; Listons reputation, already tainted by prison time, allegations of mob connections, and charges of sexual assault, never recovered. Auspiciously, the massive man is known as The Bear then won his first nine fights before dropping an eight-round decision to Marty Marshall. Sonny Liston was introduced to boxing by Reverend Father Alois Stevens. This project is funded in part by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan grant award. He was one of many children one account lists 22 siblings and half-siblings. His father was an abusive alcoholic, and Liston eventually left the house during his teens. Fighter in Boxing History: Charles 'Sonny' Liston Is mentioned in the song "Swinging" by Tom Petty. He earned the money being a professional Boxer. Liston penalized two points for low blows. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Ivn Popoca estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Even as a grown up, the physical scars were still visible. Charles "Sonny" Liston's life and death began and ended in the same manner: as a mystery. But the champ went down in a hurry: two minutes and six seconds in the first round. American professional boxer who became world heavyweight champion in 1962, Born on May 08, 1932 Survived by his wife Geraldine and a step-daughter. Tosches' explanation, of course, is that Liston was again dutifully following orders given by the mob. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. From the time he was old enough to be useful in the fields, Sonny was a laborer for his tenant farmer father. Nine years of steady fighting later, and following additional scrapes with the law, Liston fought Floyd Patterson for the Heavyweight Championship. World heavyweight boxing champion, 1962-1964. The first time you log in to our catalog you will need to create an account. Liston continued to box until the time of his death. Carbo was in prison and Palmermo would soon follow. gnalogique Dowling avec plus d'un demi-million de parents, Some Thoughts on Boxing, Jake Paul, and Asking Why We Fight Served a prison sentence at Missouri State Penitentiary for robbing a gas station at age 18. He became a professional fighter in 1953. TM & 2023 BoxingScene.All Rights Reserved. However, his career was marred by criminal activity and, later, accusations of mob connections and throwing fights, according to the.