Sonny Liston (Boxer and World Heavyweight Champion)

Full Name: Charles L. Liston
Profession: Boxer and World Heavyweight Champion

Biography: Known for his toughness, punching power and intimidating appearance, he became World Heavyweight Champion in 1962, but failed to live up to his fearsome reputation when he lost the title in 1964 to 7-1 underdog Muhammad Ali.

Born: July 22, 1930
Birthplace: Sand Slough, Arkansas, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: December 30, 1970 (aged 40)
Cause of Death: Heart failure

Articles and Photos

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  Ali Floors The Bear in Just Two Minutes

  It was the Muhammad Ali punch that few people saw, but on this day ex-champion Sonny Liston, known as The Bear, certainly felt it in a first-round sensation
  May 25, 1965

Boxing Record

• 1962-09-25 Challenger Sonny Liston KOs Floyd Patterson at 2:06 of round 1 at Comiskey Park, Chicago to win the world heavyweight boxing title
• 1963-07-22 In their second clash Sonny Liston once again KOs Floyd Patterson in round 1 at the Convention Center, Las Vegas to retain the world heavyweight boxing title
• 1964-02-25 Muhammad Ali [Cassius Clay] wins his first world heavyweight boxing title when Sonny Liston fails to come out for round 7 at the Convention Center, Miami Beach
• 1965-05-25 Muhammad Ali KOs Sonny Liston at 2:12 of round 1 at Central Maine Civic Center, Lewiston to retain his WBC/WBA heavyweight boxing title
• 1971-01-05 Body of former world heavyweight boxing champion Charles "Sonny" Liston (40) is found by his wife Geraldine at their Las Vegas home; he had been dead for an estimated 6 days; foul play suspected

Personal Life

• 1957-09-03 Future world heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston (27) weds Geraldine Clark in St. Louis, Missouri

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