Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson II
 Original ticket for Liston-Patterson II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date | July 22, 1963 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas, Nevada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title(s) on the line | WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring undisputed heavyweight championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tale of the tape | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Result | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liston defeated Patterson via first round KO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson II was a professional boxing match contested on July 22, 1963, for the undisputed heavyweight championship.[1]
Background
[edit]After Liston's first round stoppage victory over Patterson in September 1962, Patterson had the contractual right to a rematch within a year. The fight was originally set for April 4 in Miami Beach, Florida, but was changed to April 10 following a left knee injury for Liston. It was later moved back to June 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada, because of a recurrence of the knee injury. The bout was postponed yet again and rescheduled for July 22 after Patterson had to have a benign tumour removed from between his fourth and fifth knuckles on his right hand.[2]
It was the first million-dollar purse with both fighters receiving $1,434,000 each.[3] It was also notable as it was the first heavyweight title fight of the new international boxing organization, the World Boxing Council.
Liston was the 4–1 favourite, and had trained less for what he expected to be another quick victory.[4]
The fight
[edit]Although Patterson did manage to land a few more combinations than in the first bout, he was still unable to hold the champion off or significantly close the distance. Liston would soon land a series of thunderous punches to the head of Patterson, sending him to the ground. Patterson got up and fought on, but was soon knocked down a second time. Patterson once again beat the count but was quickly dropped a third time, and this time would be counted out.[5] The rematch only lasted four seconds longer than the first fight.[6]
Aftermath
[edit]Liston's victory was loudly booed. "The public is not with me. I know it", Liston said afterward. "But they'll have to swing along until somebody comes to beat me."[7]
On August 21 the WBA voted to suspend any member state approving a contract with a return bout clause.[8]
Legacy
[edit]The two fights with Patterson solidified Liston's longstanding reputation as the most intimidating man in the sport, and gave many fans and even writers the impression that he was a nearly unstoppable fighter. His next fight would be in early 1964 against a young rising contender Cassius Clay. Clay won in what was considered a major upset, and won again in a controversial rematch the following year.[9]
Both fighters continued their respective careers, and although neither fighter could win back the title, they were both still able to win many more victories and continued to stay in the top ranks throughout the 1960s. Liston's final fight was in 1970, defeating Chuck Wepner, only to die later that year. Patterson retired from boxing in 1972 following an unsuccessful rematch with Ali for the NABF heavyweight title.[10][11]
The match was mentioned in Billy Joel's song "We Didn't Start the Fire".[12]
Undercard
[edit]Confirmed bouts:[13]
Broadcasting
[edit]| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
BBC |
References
[edit]- ^ "Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson (2nd meeting)". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Liston-Patterson battle takes 3rd postponement". The Bulletin. New York. United Press International. 4 May 1963. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Morrison, Ian (1990). The Guiness World Championship Boxing Book. Guiness Publishing Limited. p. 151. ISBN 0 85112 900 5 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Liston Massive Favorite To Beat Patterson Tonight". The Dispatch. Las Vegas. United Press International. 22 July 1963. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Jack Hand (23 July 1963). "Sonny Liston Does It Again in 1st Round". The Spokesman-Review. Las Vegas. Associated Press. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Staff, B. N. (2023-06-28). "Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson II: Why?". Boxing News. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ Klapp, Orrin (2006). Symbolic Leaders: Public Dramas and Public Men. Transaction Publishers. p. 47. ISBN 0202308677. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ "Fight Group Bans Return Bout Clause". St. Petersburg Times. Miami Beach. Associated Press. 22 August 1963. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Maule, Tex. "Yes, It Was Good And Honest". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ Thomas, Mike (2020-04-18). "The Mysterious Death of Boxer Sonny Liston: Natural Causes, Overdose, or Murder?". Sportscasting | Pure Sports. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ Staff, B. N. (2019-09-20). "On This Day: Muhammad Ali defeats Floyd Patterson again". Boxing News. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "All 119 References in "We Didn't Start the Fire," Explained | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "BoxRec - event".