Sonny liston boxer biography for kids
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Sonny Liston
American boxer (c. 1930–1970)
Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (c. 1930 – December 30, 1970), nicknamed "the Big Bear",[4] was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. A dominant contender of his era, he became the undisputed 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,[5] Liston is known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and is widely regarded as the most intimidating man in the history of combat sports.[6][7]
Although Liston was widely regarded as unbeatable, he lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), who entered as an 8:1 underdog. Liston retired in his corner due to an inflamed shoulder. Contro
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Sonny Liston
(1932-1970)
Who Was Sonny Liston?
Sonny Liston had a controversial boxing career, winning 54 of 58 bouts from 1953 to 1970. Known for his powerful punch, the majority of his victories were knockouts. He died circa December 30, 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Early Life
Boxer Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas on May 8, 1932. (There is some speculation about his year of birth, but most sources state sometime from 1929 to 1932.) The son of tenant farmer Tobey Liston and his second wife, Helen, Liston was the 24th of his father's 25 children. Along with his many siblings, Liston grew up working in the local cotton fields. His father was an abusive alcoholic, and Liston eventually left the house during his teens.
In St. Louis, he quickly encountered problems with the local police. At the age of 16, Liston—more than 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds—became a menacing presence in his neighborhood, occasionally working as a str
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Sonny Liston (1932?–1970)
Charles “Sonny” Liston was a noted boxer who briefly reigned as Heavyweight mästare after a first-round knockout against Floyd Patterson. However, his career was engelskt ord för att något är skadat eller förstört by criminal activity and, later, accusations of mob connections and throwing fights.
Sonny Liston was born on May 8, probably 1932, to Tobe and Helen (Baskin) Liston, African Americansharecroppers in rural St. Francis County. He was one of many children—one konto lists twenty-two siblings and half-siblings. Liston was raised on heavy farm work, many beatings, and with virtually no schooling. At the age of thirteen, he ran away to St. Louis, Missouri, following his mother, who had left earlier. There, he committed various muggings and robbery. Soon caught (his crimes were inept, spur-of-the-moment, strong ledd jobs) and charged with first-degree robbery and förskingring, he was sentenced in 1950 to five years in the Missouri State Penitentiary.
In prison, encouraged bygd Catholic chaplains, Lis