Sonny Liston began the 1960’s in the ring on February 23 in Miami Beach against Howard King. Sonny put King on the canvas to end the 7th round, and the fight. Just a month later, Liston knocked out the tough veteran Cleveland Williams in Houston, Texas in two rounds. Only another month later saw Sonny knock out Roy Harris in one round in Houston. Every fight proved Liston’s prowess, and inched him closer to a shot at Floyd Patterson’s title.
On July 18, Sonny traveled to Denver, Colorado, and stopped the veteran Zora Folley in three. He finished the year 1960 off with a decision over Eddie Machen back in Miami Beach, Florida. Liston may have had his personal demons, and run-ins with the police, but inside the ring, he was unstoppable.
Liston knocked out Howard King for the second time on March 8, 1961 in Miami, Beach. He then had a long stretch of inactivity, before traveling to Convention Hall in Philadelphia to KO the outclassed Albert Westphal in one round. The Patterson fight was a certainty now, and no one with any boxing sense at all, thought Floyd could defeat Liston.
The bout itself took place at Comiskey Park in Chicago on September 25, 1962. Patterson’s manager Cus D’Amato had tried to avoid the Liston fight, knowing he was too big and powerful for his fighter. The fight only proved his worst fears to be true.
Looking at the fight video, it was obvious from the opening bell Floyd had no chance. Despite his attempts to box and move, Liston reached him at will, and at the two minute mark knocked him down and out with two left hooks. It was like a man against a child, and as sure a bet as ever in boxing history.
Sonny Liston listed his birth year as 1932, making him 30 years old at the time he became the champ. History proves him as being 37 years old, but still a formidable foe to beat. No one in the heavyweight division stood a chance against the ferocious Liston, and he seemed to have a long reign as champion secured as the year 1962 came to a close.
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