Cassius Clay, Sonny and Geraldine Liston
ALI-LISTON TRUTH REVEALED FINALLY
San Francisco, CA– Today we’re writing about something that has gone back and forth opinion wise since the 1960s and that is was either one or both of the Muhammad Ali-Sonny Liston fights “fixed?” What I was told and read in the just released book entitled “Sonny Liston: The Real Story Behind the Ali-Liston Fights” is extremely insightful.
ALI-LISTON FIGHTS 1 & 2
Many people reading this have either seen the fights on YouTube.com, maybe an Ali tribute, on ESPN or on DVD. The first encounter ended with an Ali TKO 8 win when Charles “Sonny” Liston quit on his stool in 1964 claiming a shoulder injury in Miami. The 1965 rematch was over in the blink of an eye in Lewiston, Maine when one right hand ended matters, and this was before referee (and ex-heavyweight champ) Jersey Joe Walcott lost control of the fight.
MUSLIMS HELD LISTON FAMILY HOSTAGE
Ever since those two championship encounters, the debate rages:Were The Ali-Liston Fights Fixed? Well, some say yes, others no. But in a startling new book author Gallender claims that prior to the rematch Sonny Liston’s wife Geraldine Liston and a child were being held hostage by the Black Muslims,” a radical sect of Islam ruled by Elijah Muhammad.
STRONG FEELINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF DEBATE
Author Paul Gallender came to this conclusion after researching the subject of Liston and his place in boxing history for 35 years. The eloquent but sometimes overtly blunt Gallender goes deep on Sonny Liston and how the boxing establishment turned a man that liked puppies, into one who stepped on them instead.
MEDIA FAILED TO LOOK BEYOND FIGHT
The media in the mid 1960s were “old school” types who sold you fiction like the Warren Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. What they wrote at that time and said on TV News was considered Gospel-like by most Americans.
WHEN FOURTH ESTATE FAILS WE SUFFER
When the media ganged up on you in the 60s, regardless of your place in society, it was usually over. Time and again Sonny Liston was “vilified” by the media. It was almost Jack Johnson-esque. While they didn’t create Federal legislation like the “Mann Act” which forced the first Black smack talking heavyweight champ into exile circa 1910. They convicted Johnson of bringing a (white) woman across state lines for sex. Johnson was forced into exile and made a demon much like Liston.
FAMILY HELD HOSTAGE BY BLACK MUSLIMS?
Having my own theory on the death, this after consulting with Sonny’s last manager and late referee Davey Pearl, Gallender said he talked with both men as well as Liston’s son William Wingate. There are a few sources including Geraldine Liston, Sonny’s wife that are said to confirm the Muslim kidnapping story.
LISTON PORTRAYED AS EVIL & UNGODLY
Another thing Sonny had against him, he had children out of wedlock. On that front, Sonny was the Evander Holyfield of his time. And of course, the rap on Liston was fueled initially by his teenage arrest in Arkansas for Robbery.
Ali Screaming At Sonny To Get Up
MANY DEATH SCENARIOS!
Stuff I learned from the also deceased Las Vegas gym owner Johnny Tocco and the aforementioned Davey Pearl, give this former police officer a distinct and professional opinion on Sonny’s death.
DID MOB TELL SONNY THROW WEPNER FIGHT?
Some say it was a Heroin overdose, others claim it was natural, then there are those linking the fact that in Sonny’s last fight he beat Chuck Wepner, something the Mafia is said to have told him NOT to do. And it’s not like they’d have import a “hitman” to Las Vegas circa 1969-70, as there was a plethora of local talent available.
AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF BOOK AVAILABLE
Pugilibri of San Leandro, CA, thew world’s #1 purveyor of author signed boxing books, has the Paul Gallender Ali-Liston Fights book on sale at ridiculously low prices if you mention Ring Talk in your email. The Pugilibri email address is [email protected]
PUGILIBRI IS THE CHAMP OF SIGNED BOXING BOOKS
Feel free to ask about the thousands of signed boxing books they have for sale.
Pedro Fernandez
Talk Show Host & Award Winning Writer
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ALI’S PEOPLE THREATENED SONNY LISTON