Sonny Liston

Date of Birth: May 8, 1932

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: January 5, 1971

Biography

Charles “Sonny” Liston was a professional American boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. Known for his formidable punching power and intimidating presence, Liston became the world heavyweight champion in 1962 by defeating Floyd Patterson in a first-round knockout. Born into a large, impoverished family in Arkansas, Liston’s early life was marked by hardship, including a lack of formal education and frequent run-ins with the law. His boxing career began while he was serving time in prison, and after his release, he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most feared fighters of his era. Liston’s reign as champion was cut short in 1964 when he was defeated by a young Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) in a major upset. The rematch in 1965 resulted in one of the most controversial moments in boxing history, with Liston going down in the first round from what was dubbed the “phantom punch.” Despite these setbacks, Liston continued to fight until 1970, ending his career with a record of 50 wins, 4 losses, and 39 knockouts.

5 Interesting Facts about Sonny Liston

1. Sonny Liston learned to box while serving time in Missouri State Penitentiary.

2. He had an 84-inch reach, one of the longest in boxing history.

3. Liston was known for his intimidating presence and was often described as the most fearsome fighter of his time.

4. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

5. Liston’s death remains a mystery, with various theories suggesting foul play, a drug overdose, or natural causes.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sonny Liston

1. “A boxing match is like a cowboy movie. There’s got to be good guys and there’s got to be bad guys. And that’s what people pay for—to see the bad guys get beat.”

2. “I’m the greatest fighter in the world. I can whip anybody’s ass.”

3. “They say you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a champion.”

4. “In the ring, I never really knew fear.”

5. “The only thing my old man ever gave me was a beating.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Sonny Liston’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, equivalent to approximately $8 million today when adjusted for inflation.