Charles L. “Sonny” Liston was one of the most powerful punchers in the history of the heavyweight division.
He won several tournaments, including Golden Gloves as an amateur and made his professional debut by knocking out Don Smith in the first round on September 2, 1953.
Liston did not get a shot at world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson until September 25 1962, and became world champion by knocking out Patterson in the first round. In their rematch on July 22, 1963, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the fight lasted two seconds longer than their first fight, with Liston once again knocking out Patterson in the first round. Liston lost his title when he faced a young contender named Cassius Clay in Miami on February 25, 1964. The cause of Liston’s death remains a mystery. The police declared it a heroin overdose, yet Liston was known to have a phobia regarding needles.
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