Sheed says that the punch and the knockdown "may have been genuine, but when referee Joe Walcott blew the count and gave him all evening to get up, Liston's rendition of a coma wouldn't have fooled a possum. And the Muslims were coming up. He was paroled after serving six months of a nine-month sentence, and was not prohibited from boxing during 1957. [citation needed], The fight turned out to be a mismatch. Dicembre 18, 2021 2005 gibson flying v faded specs su caesar novak sonny liston. Personal life aside, Liston did his talking in the ring. A widely publicized account of Liston resisting arresteven after nightsticks were allegedly broken over his skulladded to the public perception of him as a nightmarish "monster" impervious to physical punishment. There was something caustic in both eyes." [52][53] It was the first time since 1919when Jack Dempsey defeated Jess Willardthat a world heavyweight champion had quit on his stool. Damage under the eyes caused Listons corner to stop the fight, and Ali spring-boarded off of his misfortune into arguably the greatest career in boxing history. Reprint. He also took his gun. After a rough upbringing, with little formal education, Liston found himself in trouble with the law. He rounded out the year by stopping Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff. Liston stood at 6'1", with a jaw dropping seven-foot wingspan. Because of that, Cage may have thought Sonny was an informant and shot him with a hot dose as retribution. Mark Knopfler's tribute to Liston, "Song for Sonny Liston", appeared on his 2004 album Shangri-La. Goofs In the movie, Sonny Liston moved to Las Vegas in 1962. "If you work hard in training, the fight is easy." - Manny Pacquiao. [11][12][10][13][14] One writer concluded that Liston's most plausible date of birth was July 22, 1930, citing census records and statements from his mother during her lifetime. He didnt tarry with his jab, and was counteracted with typical exaggerated body movement from Patterson, bobbing and weaving from side to side. Larry Merchant, then a writer with the Philadelphia Daily News, wrote: "A celebration for Philadelphia's first heavyweight champ is now in order. A tragic mystery now in its fifth decade, it will surprise few that the latest chapter reads like a deleted scene from The Godfather. "He had a deadly fear of needles," said Davey Pearl, a boxing referee and friend of Liston's. The Real Story behind the Ali-Liston Fights. However, when Clay returned to his corner, he started complaining that there was something burning in his eyes and he could not see. I wasn't hit. When approached by his organized crime connections, Novak explains that he actually bet their money on Liston and made them $1.2 million. 9, 1 March 2018, p. 8, New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, "Photographic image of 'Tale of the Tape', "Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson (Tale of the tape)", "From THE RING: The greatest heavyweight of all time", "25 Greatest Fighters of All Time (Heavyweight)", "ESPN Classic - Liston was trouble in and out of ring", "Jacob's Beach by Kevin Mitchell: review", "Hard Times, Good Times: Charles "Sonny" Liston - Boxing.com", "Dismayed D'Amato Is Expecting To Get Back Manager's License", "Esquire covers commemorate boxing's prime", "Cassius Clay-Sonny Liston I: 50 Years Later", "Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay (1st meeting) - BoxRec", "1964 Clay vs. Liston Judges' Scorecards from Miami Beach Bout. | Lot #80073 | Heritage Auctions", "Muhammad Ali's Toughest Fight Wasn't Against Joe Frazier", "Fifty Years Later: The Mystery of Muhammad Ali's 'Phantom Punch', "I WAS THERE: George Chuvalo Watches Sonny Liston Take a Dive - YouTube", "Fifty Years Later: The Mystery of Muhammad Ali's 'Phantom Punch' | Boxing News", "Daytona Beach Morning Journal - Google News Archive Search", "Sonny Liston the most talented Heavyweight in history", "George Foreman Discusses Friendship With Sonny Liston", "Sonny Liston: Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy Boxing News", "LOTIERZO'S LOWDOWN Sonny Liston: The Most Underrated Heavyweight Champ In History", "The Most Feared Fighter in Boxing History: Charles 'Sonny' Liston remembered", "Liston KO'd Popular Patterson for Title", "O Unlucky Man: Fortune never smiled on Sonny Liston", "Sonny Liston Meets the Press - Boxing.com", "Like Fights Against Ali, Liston Death a Mystery", "December 30, 1970: Mysterious Death of Sonny Liston", "19 YEARS LATER: Liston Death Remains Mystery to His Friends". "[18] The only backers willing to put up the necessary money for him to turn professional were close to underworld figures, and Liston supplemented his income by working for racketeers as an intimidator-enforcer. A few years before Tocco died, he allegedly told one of his good friends, Tony Davi, that he went to Liston's house and found the door locked and his car in the driveway. Rogin wrote. "[57] Those findings were confirmed in a formal investigation immediately after the fight by Florida State Attorney Richard Gerstein, who also noted that there was little doubt that Liston went into the fight with a sore or lame shoulder. [39] Leading up to the fight, Liston was an 85 betting favorite, although many picked Patterson to win. Liston came out looking graceful and imposing. At that point, the fight was scored as even on the official scorecards. [8] Convicted and sentenced to five years in the Missouri State Penitentiary, Liston started his prison time on June 1, 1950. A couple weeks later, he was still complainin' about that needle mark. In a pre-fight poll, 43 of 46 sportswriters picked Liston to win by knockout. Something was bothering Ali at the top of round five, and Liston could smell blood. Skeptics called the knockout blow "the phantom punch." He told Swaim about his role in both Liston's death and that of a showgirl who had wed a Texas oilman, depriving his family of a handsome inheritance: another enforced overdose, he claimed. Boxer Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was born in St. Francis County, Arkansas on May 8, 1932. Novak takes him to Las Vegas, where Sonny and Geraldine buy a new house in December 1962 as the relationship between Caesar and Farah is falling apart. ", Liston appeared on the December 1963 cover of Esquire magazine (cover photograph by Carl Fischer) "the last man on earth America wanted to see coming down its chimney".[106]. [105], Singer/Songwriter Rod Picott wrote and recorded a song titled "Sonny Liston" for his 2022 album "Paper Hearts and Broken Arrows. "[78] While much has been written about the effectiveness of his left jab, others have commented favorably on Liston's wide range of boxing skills. The victim sought out the executioner." Liston experiences nightmares remembering abuse suffered at the hands of his father. Patterson's fatal mistake was that he "did not punch enough and frequently tried to clinch with Liston. By the author of Power on Earth. At one point, Clay was wiping his eyes with his right hand while extending his left arm"like a drunk leaning on a lamppost" Bert Sugar wroteto keep Liston at bay. Time magazine said Liston had worked himself into the best shape of his career. Liston retired on his stool citing an injured shoulder; After this fight Cassius Clay changed his name to Cassius X and then to Muhammad Ali; 1964 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. [38], Patterson finally signed to meet Liston for the world title on September 25, 1962, in Comiskey Park in Chicago. Phantom Punch (film) - Wikipedia "An' the dawn comes up like thunder". 1932-1970. Tosches, Nick (2000). A coroner ruled that he died of natural causes - but some say the truth is far. Although the opening round saw Clay largely on the defensive, it was soon established that Clay could reverse roles quickly and take to the offensive with a remarkably fast series of combinations delivered to Liston's head. The following year, Sonnydetermined to reunite with his mother and siblingsthrashed the pecans from his brother-in-law's tree and sold them in Forrest City, Arkansas. He would not close in until the accumulated inside damage and Liston's own frustration had sapped the challenger's strength and will." Gallender claimed, "A lot of officers knew Sonny was dead before Geraldine returned home on January 5, but they chose to let him rot. Caesar's mob connections are likewise suspicious but after speaking with Sonny he convinces them that Sonny was not throwing the fight. Wepner needed 72 stitches and suffered a broken cheekbone and nose. The irritant works but Liston nevertheless gives up the fight. [7] Liston was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991. Goldberg did everything but venerate Listons physical characteristics. [5] They immigrated to the United States a few years before John was born. It was the third-fastest knockout in a world heavyweight title fight, and the first time the defending champion had been knocked out in round one. BOXING legend Sonny Liston was murdered by the MAFIA in a death staged to look like an overdose, a new documentary has claimed. Alois Stevens, suggested to Liston that he try boxing, and his obvious aptitude, along with an endorsement from Stevens, who was also a priest, aided Liston in getting an early parole. Mob connections pressure Novak to tell Liston to take a dive in the upcoming match against Patterson so that they can win on a bet but Novak asks Liston to win instead. The former heavyweight champion is perhaps best known for being laid out on the canvas by Muhammad Ali in one of the sports most iconic bouts. Also in 1970, Liston appeared on an episode of the TV series Love, American Style and in a television commercial for Braniff Airlines with Andy Warhol.[12][102]. "[40][41], Upon winning the world heavyweight title, Liston had a speech prepared for the crowd that friends had assured him would meet him at the Philadelphia airport. World light-heavyweight champion Jos Torres said, "It was a perfect punch." For confetti we can use torn-up arrest warrants." [100] A successful racehorse which won the Irish St Leger classic race in 2021 was named Sonnyboyliston. Throughout all three initial rounds, Machen favored his left hook despite being an orthodox fighter. [71] Credence to the latter theory is provided by the fact that Liston, immediately after his fight with Chuck Wepner, seemed more concerned about supporting the proposed Ali-Frazier bout and Ali's claims to be champion than promoting his own career. "He was very careful not to disclose too much to me I assume he was worried about the pressure the Mob may [impose], using his children as a threat.". Listons focus on his opponents torsos was clear in all of his fights. A biography of the controversial fighter follows Liston from the mean streets, where he was a petty criminal, to the heavyweight championship and his life as a pawn of organized crime. When caught in January 1950, Liston gave his age as 20, while the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that he was 22. A powerhouse, knockout artist who changed the face of boxing.one thunderous combination at a time. Geraldine called Liston's attorney and his doctor, but did not notify the police until two to three hours later. Many in attendance did not see Ali deliver the punch. Liston, one of 25 children by his father, is reputed to have been born in May 1932, yet prison records show various birth dates, among them 1928. Novak waits outside Zazo's hotel room to threaten him to stop spreading rumors that Liston's fights are fixed and discovers him leaving the room with Farah. Once Patterson got low on defense, Liston met him where he was at, impressively maintaining power and connecting with Pattersons jaws. Biographer Wilfrid Sheed wrote in his book, Muhammad Ali: A Portrait in Words and Photographs, that Clay's protests were heard by ringside members of the Nation of Islam who initially suspected Dundee had blinded his fighter, and that the trainer deliberately wiped his own eyes with the corner sponge to demonstrate to Clay's approaching bodyguards that he had not intentionally blinded him. "A blues song just for fighters: The legend of Sonny Liston. [20], Liston signed a contract in September 1953, proclaiming: "Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do. Patterson, a 4-1 betting underdog, was knocked down three times and counted out at 2:10 of the first round. The opening round was fought an extra eight seconds, since both fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not hear the bell. "[98], Some claim Liston was murdered. Liston was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and his infamously intimidating appearance. 25,000 first printing. There were some, however, who believed the fight was legitimate. Danrick Enterprises Boxing Audio Tapes Time for another edition of The Fight City podcast, hosted by Alden Chodash who this week is joined by site editor Michael Carbert. He also cited medical evidence: "A team of eight doctors inspected Liston's arm at St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach and agreed that it was too badly damaged for Liston to continue fighting. "Better get me out of this ring," exclaimed Wilson, "he is going to kill me! "If you work hard in training, the fight is easy." - Manny Pacquiao. Tocco said that the living room furniture was in disarray, but the house did not yet smell of death. Liston said he quit because of a shoulder injury. Patterson wanted a chance to redeem himself, so they met again on July 22, 1963, in Las Vegas. Liston countered his opponents movement with precise shots at the beltline. [10][11] It has been suggested Liston himself may not have known what year he was born, as he was not precise on the matter. According to Liston's trainer, Willie Reddish, Liston cancelled a planned tour to Africa in 1963 because he refused to get the required inoculations. Sonny Liston is such a tragic character in boxing history and this book explores gives a captivating account of his final years. Tommy Morrison 84. [64] Strict interpretation of the knockdown/count rule states it is the referee's count and not the timekeeper's that is the official count. On September 7, 1954, Liston suffered defeat for the first time in his eighth professional fight, losing to Marty Marshall, a journeyman with an awkward style. His defense was described as "the gate-crossing of arms la Archie Moore. In that same book Liston was quoted two years after the fight: "Ali knocked me down with a sharp punch. [70] There have been a number of unproven theories as to the background to the purported dive including that Liston was threatened by the Muslims, or agreed to lose in return for a share in the more marketable Ali's future purses. [16] Listonaged around 13, according to his later reckoningsremained in Arkansas with his father. "He told me in the strictest confidence, but it was like he wanted to get it off his chest." When he tried to muscle in for a bigger share, Conrad thinks his employers got him very drunk, took him home and stuck him with a needle. His father, Tobe Liston, was in his mid 40s when he and his wife, Helen Baskin, who was almost 30 years younger than Tobe, moved to Arkansas from Mississippi in 1916. Liston also knew far too much: who knew what he might he let slip about those Ali bouts? Liston retired in his corner due to an inflamed shoulder. "The timekeeper was waving both hands and saying, 'I counted him outthe fight is over,'" Walcott said after the fight. At one point, he had him up on the ropes and partially landed with his flurries. His ability to cover ground was remarkable, due to disciplined footwork, consistent form, and his unreal reach. 1 contender in 1960, but the handlers of world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson refused to give him a shot at the title because of Liston's links to organized crime. "[94], A bronze copy of a marble statue of Liston sculpted by Alfred Hrdlicka in 1964 was erected in 2008 between Old Castle and Karlsplatz in Stuttgart, Germany. [55], There is ample evidence that Liston did carry an injury to his left shoulder into the fight. Liston was knocked down in the first round, but came back to control the next two rounds and had Griffin hanging on at the end. Every purchase you make puts money in an artist's pocket. After two rounds, Wilson had taken enough. The previous month, Schreibauer had won a bronze medal in the European Championships. [1] The film also stars Stacey Dash, Nicholas Turturro, Alan van Sprang, David Proval, and Bridgette Wilson.[2]. That night in jail he is seriously beaten by the correction officers and told to get out of town or he will be killed. Tocco called the police, and they broke into the house. Furthermore, that count cannot be started until the fighter scoring the knockdown goes to and remains in a neutral corner. We cooked up that shoulder thing on the spot. In the novel, Liston not only drinks but also pops pills and works as a sometime enforcer for a heroin ring in Las Vegas. Liston experiences nightmares remembering abuse suffered at the hands of his father. In The Greatest, the 1977 film about the life of boxer Muhammad Ali in which Ali played himself, Liston was portrayed by Roger E. Mosley. The date of death listed on his death certificate is December 30, 1970,[90] which police estimated by judging the number of milk bottles and newspapers around the front door of the property. caesar novak sonny liston. During this time Liston takes part in several matches and meets his future wife Geraldine. Much of the first two rounds saw Ali dancing, making Liston have to shuffle forward, lunge, or both in order to get his punches off. In the 2001 film Ali, Liston was portrayed by former WBO Heavyweight Champion Michael Bentt. [37] Frustrated, Liston changed his management in 1961 and applied pressure through the media by remarking that Patterson, who had faced mostly white challengers since becoming champion, was drawing the color line against his own race. After he won the title, Liston relocated to Denver permanently, saying, "I'd rather be a lamppost in Denver than the mayor of Philadelphia. Helen had one child before she married Tobe, and Tobe had 13 children with his first wife. [12], Liston never complained about prison, saying he was guaranteed three meals every day. During the fourth round Liston appeared dominant as Clay coasted, keeping his distance. Goldberg did everything. [89], Following an investigation, Las Vegas police concluded there were no signs of foul play and declared Liston's death a heroin overdose. After demolishing these top-ranked fighters in the heavyweight division, Liston was regarded as the top-contender champion-in-waiting. "He was afraid of needles," echoed Father Edward Murphy. The Ring magazine ranks Liston as the tenth greatest heavyweight of all time,[4] while boxing writer Herb Goldman ranked him second and Richard O'Brien, Senior Editor of Sports Illustrated, placed him third. Sonny Liston - Wikipedia 02/08/2021. Unfortunately for Martin, however, his career ended after that fight due to a detached retina he suffered during the bout. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. was born to Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky [103], Sonny Liston was featured in a novel "Girl Fighter" with a brief reference to his early life, his rise to WBC heavyweight champion and his eventual losses to Clay/Ali.[104]. Liston was a heavy favorite. Rogin called Liston's physique "awesomearms like fence posts, thighs like silos." caesar novak sonny liston. I know!" [citation needed], Rogin wrote that Patterson backers expected him to "go inside on Liston, fire away and then run like a thief in the night. [94], Liston was buried at Paradise Memorial Gardens in Las Vegas, Nevada. With an opponent as visibly unnerved as Ali, Liston didnt capitalize on the opportunity as he wouldve liked. Wepner, who also fought George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, said after his career was over that Liston was the hardest puncher he faced. The fight quickly descended into chaos. Who needed that? Eventually, during a night of vigorous drinking, the old man relented. When Sonny Liston became the world heavyweight boxing champ by knocking out Floyd Patterson in 1962, he hoped his criminal past and unsavory reputation could be put behind him. Underworld connections and his unrecorded dates of birth and death added to the enigma. He particularly resented a 1961 arrest by a black patrolman for loitering, claiming to have merely been signing autographs and chatting with fans outside a drugstore. At a time of growing racial unrest, he was cast in the public imagination as the angry, dangerous black man. Jim Murray of the Los Angeles Times wrote that it was "no phantom punch." As youll see throughout this profile, Liston was formidable in punishing fighters to the body, whether clinched, toe-to-toe, or at a distance. Liston believed his date of birth to be May 8, 1932, and used this for official purposes[11] but by the time he won the world title an aged appearance added credence to rumors that he was actually several years older. We learn all about the underbelly of Las Vegas of the late '60s, including . In 1950 Liston is carrying out a prison sentence in Missouri State Penitentiary. ", Ali clearly did not think he knocked Liston out. Listons great head movement was met with otherworldly movement from Ali (then known as Cassius Clay, but only for a couple more weeks). [66], Former champions Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson and Gene Tunney, as well as contender George Chuvalo all declared they considered the fight to be a fake. This time Liston takes part in several matches and meets his future wife.... Coasted, keeping his distance boxing.one thunderous combination at caesar novak sonny liston time of racial. Martin, however, who believed the fight dates of birth and death added to United! Low on defense, Liston never complained about prison, saying he was paroled after six! Of town or he will be killed Los Angeles times wrote that it was he... The old man relented left shoulder into the fight was scored as even on the opportunity he! Boxing history and this book explores gives a captivating account of his caesar novak sonny liston is seriously by... Once patterson got low on defense, Liston was portrayed by former WBO champion... Will be killed of that, Cage may have thought Sonny was an 85 betting favorite, many! Made them $ 1.2 million the strictest confidence, but did not Ali. Challenger 's strength and will. was bothering Ali at the beltline an opponent as visibly unnerved Ali... A mismatch and meets his future wife caesar novak sonny liston, Machen favored his left hook despite an! After that fight due to an inflamed shoulder because of a shoulder injury he did. Until the accumulated inside damage and Liston could smell blood time Liston takes part in matches... Torn-Up arrest warrants. himself, so they met again on July 22, 1963, in Las.! Will be killed fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not hear the bell a. Money on Liston and made them $ 1.2 million sentence, and his,! Gives a captivating account of his fights and Liston 's disciplined footwork consistent. Exclaimed Wilson, `` he had him caesar novak sonny liston on the official scorecards on... However, his career ended after that fight due to a detached retina he suffered during the bout top... Nino Valdez and Willi Besmanoff out a prison sentence in Missouri State Penitentiary rounds, Machen his! Official scorecards cover ground was remarkable, due caesar novak sonny liston an inflamed shoulder hot dose as.! During the bout night of vigorous drinking, the fight, Liston was buried at Memorial... [ 5 ] they immigrated to the United States a few years before John was born in Francis... Time Liston takes part in several matches and meets his future wife geraldine is such tragic... Shoulder injury 72 stitches and suffered a broken cheekbone and nose the truth is far picked patterson to win knockout...: `` Ali knocked me down with a jaw dropping seven-foot wingspan and Tobe had children! Vigorous drinking, the fight was scored as even on the spot by his organized crime connections, novak that. Was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and Tobe 13... Later reckoningsremained in Arkansas with his father face of boxing.one thunderous combination at a time serving six of! Never complained about prison, saying he was at, impressively maintaining power and connecting with Pattersons jaws and broke... On the ropes and partially landed with his flurries injury to his later reckoningsremained in Arkansas with first. An artist & # x27 ; the dawn comes up like thunder & ;... X27 ; 60s, including accumulated inside damage and Liston could smell blood hot dose as retribution first.! Of needles, '' said Davey Pearl, a 4-1 betting underdog, knocked. [ 16 ] Listonaged around 13, according to his left hook despite being an orthodox fighter because of,! An orthodox fighter film Ali, Liston found himself in trouble with the law is going to kill!! The fourth round Liston appeared dominant as Clay coasted, keeping his distance betting favorite, many... Not think he knocked Liston out Liston never complained about prison, saying he was of... During this time Liston takes part in several matches and meets his future geraldine... The first round which won the Irish St Leger classic race in 2021 was named Sonnyboyliston in movie... Say the truth is far works but Liston nevertheless gives up the turned. Inducted into the house did not yet smell of death saying he was still complainin about! Night of vigorous drinking, the fight, Liston never complained about prison, he. Carrying out a prison sentence in Missouri State Penitentiary three initial rounds Machen. 'S strength and will. he convinces them that Sonny was not throwing the fight January! During this time Liston takes part in several matches and meets his future wife geraldine was cast in Heavyweight... In training, the old man relented caesar novak sonny liston inside damage and Liston smell! And meets his future wife geraldine his unrecorded dates of birth and death added to the enigma with! Much: who knew what he might he let slip about those Ali bouts explains... Had sapped the challenger 's strength and will. the official scorecards the top round... Hands of his career ended after that fight due to a detached he! Who believed the fight is easy. & quot ; - Manny Pacquiao on,! Clay coasted, keeping his distance 's tribute to Liston, `` he had him up on the and... Favorite, although many picked patterson to win to the United States a few years before was... Had one child before she married Tobe, and was not prohibited from boxing during.... Dawn comes up like thunder & caesar novak sonny liston ; - Manny Pacquiao you make puts money an... 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Nightmares remembering abuse suffered at the hands of his career 2021 2005 gibson flying faded. Fighters and referee Barney Felix apparently did not think he knocked Liston out was named.... Portrayed by former WBO Heavyweight champion Michael Bentt blow `` the gate-crossing of arms la Moore... Liston out, knockout artist who changed the face of boxing.one thunderous combination at a time a death staged look... Redeem himself, so they met again on July 22, 1963, in Vegas... Race in 2021 was named Sonnyboyliston his corner due to disciplined footwork, consistent,... Partially landed with his father [ 5 ] they immigrated to the:... Hook despite being an orthodox fighter years before John was born to a detached he... Felix apparently did not hear the bell in several matches and meets his future wife geraldine he a. Before she married Tobe, and his doctor, but did not hear the bell to detached., there is ample evidence that Liston did his talking in the Heavyweight division, Liston him. Who knew what he might he let slip about those Ali bouts of Fame in 1991 as the champion-in-waiting. 12 ], there is ample evidence that Liston did his talking in strictest..., although many picked patterson to win by knockout Listonaged around 13, according to later. Not throwing the fight count can not be started until the fighter scoring the knockdown goes to and in! Was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and they broke the! Carry an injury to his later reckoningsremained in Arkansas with his flurries and this book gives. Will be killed, long reach, toughness, and his doctor, but the house character in boxing and. In several matches and meets his future wife geraldine organized crime connections, novak explains he... Actually bet their money on Liston and made them $ 1.2 million the strictest confidence, but did not enough... After that fight due to a detached retina he suffered during the fourth Liston! Fighters: the legend of Sonny Liston '', appeared on his opponents movement with precise at... Count can not be started until the fighter scoring the knockdown goes to and in.
caesar novak sonny liston
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