This is the next in my blog series ‘Mythical Matchups’. The bout is between Mike Tyson and Sonny Liston. My imaginary bouts all take place at Caesar’s Palace Outdoor Arena, with the great Mills Lane as the referee.
Mike Tyson was born on June 30, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York. After a youth full of trouble and arrests, Tyson was taken under the wing of Cus D’Amato, who saw tremendous potential in the teen. Mike moved in with Cus, and was later adopted as he boxed as an amateur in New York state. Tyson’s power was incredible even then, and he reached the Olympic Trials in 1984, only to lose to Henry Tillman. Mike began his professional career under the management team of Jimmy Jacobs and Bill Cayton, on March 6, 1985 in Albany, York with a first round knockout of Hector Mercedes. Jacobs and Cayton did a brilliant job with scheduling Mike’s opponents, and their strategy landed him a title shot against Trevor Berbick on November 22, 1986 at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Tyson absolute destroyed Berbick in 2 quick rounds, then later unified the championship by adding the WBA and IBF titles to his WBC belt. He would successfully defend his title until February 11, 1990, when he was knocked out by Buster Douglas. Tyson came back and won four straight bouts before being convicted of rape in February of 1992, and sent to prison for 3 years. He recaptured the title in March of 1996 by knocking out Frank Bruno, but lost his title to Evander Holyfield 18 months later. He would never win another championship again.
Tyson at his peak was an awesome power puncher, with quickness and intelligence that made it seem like he would never lose. Every dog has his day however, and eventually most fighters lose.
Sonny Liston has no known official birthday, and it’s estimated he was born in the early 1920’s. His wicked ways landed him in prison, and he began boxing as an amateur after his release on October 31, 1952. His amateur career lasted less than a year, and he made his professional debut on September 2, 1952 with a knockout of Don Smith in one round in St. Louis. Liston’s power saw him run through his opponents as he quickly moved up the rankings. Despite his criminal record and mob ties, Floyd Patterson reluctantly agreed to meet him on September 25, 1962 in Chicago. Sonny easily knocked Floyd out in the first round, and repeated his performance when they met for a second time the following July.
Liston was closer to 50 than 30 when he lost his title to upstart Cassius Clay on February 25, 1964 in Miami Beach. He took a dive in their infamous May 25, 1975 rematch in Lewiston, Maine, then faded off into oblivion despite staying active until 1970.
At his best, Liston was vicious and mean, and had a plank of a left jab as good as any in boxing history. He could knock men out with either hand, and it’s a shame he never got into the ring until he was already past his athletic prime.
I see a bout between Tyson and Liston as an all-out war, with neither man taking a backward step. Both men would visit the canvas, but get up courageously and fight on. After a battle of strength and punching power, it’s too close to call after 12 rounds. A draw is the verdict in my book.
This is my blog and it’s purpose is to entertain folks. If I’ve done that, I’ve been successful.
Sonny Liston was found dead in his home on December 30, 1970, and it’s a known fact that the mob administered him a hot-shot of heroin to kill him. It was a sad end to a sad life for Charles ‘Sonny’ Liston. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, and certainly deserved it.
Mike Tyson continued to fight on way past his prime on reputation alone. He was inducted into the IBHOF in 2011, and is still a huge fan favorite today.
For one night, both would have made boxing history, and it’s a shame there are no fighters like either man left in boxing today.
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