SONNY «The Big Bear» LISTON ✪ Greatest Hits

Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 - December 30, 1970) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. A dominant contender of his era, he became the world heavyweight champion in 1962 after knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round, repeating the knockout the following year in defense of the title; in the latter fight he also became the inaugural WBC heavyweight champion. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time Liston was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and is widely regarded as the most intimidating man in the history of the sport.
Although Liston was widely regarded as unbeatable, he lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), who entered as a 7-1 underdog. Liston retired in his corner due to an inflamed shoulder. Controversy followed with claims that Liston had been drinking heavily the night before the fight and had entered the bout with a lame shoulder. In his 1965 rematch with Ali, Liston suffered an unexpected first-round knockout that led to unresolved suspicions of a fix. He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died under mysterious circumstances in 1970. Underworld connections and his unrecorded dates of birth and death added to the enigma.
The Ring magazine ranks Liston as the tenth greatest heavyweight of all time, while boxing writer Herb Goldman ranked him second and Richard O'Brien, Senior Editor of Sports Illustrated, placed him third. Alfie Potts Harmer in The Sportster also ranked him the third greatest heavyweight and the sixth greatest boxer at any weight. Liston was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
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Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Reach 84 in (213 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 54
Wins 50
Wins by KO 39
Losses 4

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It's very hard to assess Liston. The man could certainly hit, and he looked to be more athletic, say, than George Foreman. He fought everybody he could get near and beat them all, until losing the title in Miami. But his opposition wasn't the best, at least in comparison with the 70s- which is no discredit to him. As I say, he fought them all in his era. His reign was a brief one, and among his misfortunes must be counted his upset defeat at the hands of a young Ali. Had that phenomenal young prodigy not come on the scene and Liston stuck to his training, he might have remained champion for five years.