On this day...

Sonny Liston was born (8th of May 1932). Sonny Liston was introduced to boxing while serving time in a Missouri State penitentiary. He became a professional fighter in 1953. Sonny Liston was born circa 1932 in St. Francis County, Arkansas, to an abusive and alcoholic father. Liston had trouble with the police as a teenager and was arrested more than 20 times. He learned to box while serving time in a penitentiary. Following his release, he began a 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.

One of the most remembered fights of Sonny Liston was with the "Great" Muhammed Ali (formerly known as Cassius Clay). Liston scored another knockout in a rematch with Patterson, but his 17-month reign as heavyweight champion ended at the hands of a brash fighter named Cassius Clay. Liston, who was viewed as nearly invincible before the fight, was unable to answer the bell for the seventh round, and Clay (soon to take the name Muhammad Ali) was named champion on February 25, 1964.

The subsequent rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965, included the infamous "phantom punch." Though it appeared that Liston had barely been grazed by Clay's right fist, the boxer went down just one minute and 45 seconds into the first round.