Sonny Liston is one of the most fascinating fighters in the history of boxing. I read the book - The Devil and Sonny Liston, which was a great book.
Sonny could have been the best fighter Heavyweight of them all. The book suggests that both Ali fights were thrown by Liston and puts forth a decent argument. According to the book, Liston was supposed to lose the first fight via decision. In the course of losing one round after another, the punishment he took led him to say, "The hell with this," and he exited the fight at the midway point instead of allowing Ali to pound on him the rest of the way.
Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano were both impressed by Liston and neither would have wanted a part of him (according to their own admissions) if he were fighting in their eras. Obviously, Louis and Marciano saw beyond the intimidating aura of Liston and acknowledged the presence of some very measurable substance and ability.
In the end, however, do you rate a fighter based upon what he "could have done" or by what he actually did?
The mob cashed in the night Liston lost to Ali. That is a fact that goes beyond conjecture. Ali was a big underdog. It's hard to present all the facts of the Liston-Ali fights because many people get offended by anything they perceive as "Anti-Ali".
Liston believed that winning the title would be his chance at "redemption" for the poor choices he'd made in his life. On the plane ride back to Philly, listen told passengers that he would "wear the belt with respect and honor." He was expecting a parade when he returned to Philly, and when he stepped out of the plane, not only wasn't there a hero's welcome, according to those who were there that day, there wasn't a single soul there to great him.
Those close to Liston said, at that moment... Sonny Liston's hope of a better tomorrow died for good.
You can buy "The Devil and Sonny Liston" at Amazon.com for a decent price. The writer's style is as dark, gritty and to the point as the man about whom he's writing. It's one of the better books on Liston you'll find anywhere. Practically a must for anyone who enjoys reading the "Ratings of the Day Council" writings!
