Sonny Liston

Charles L. Sonny Liston, nicknamed the Big Bear, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 until his death on December 30, 1970. Known for his immense strength, formidable jab and long reach, he became the undisputed world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round, repeated the knockout the following year, and in that second fight also became the inaugural WBC heavyweight champion. He lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, when he retired in his corner with an inflamed shoulder. In their 1965 rematch he was knocked out in the first round, which left unresolved suspicions of a fix. He was still a world-ranked boxer when he died in 1970 under mysterious circumstances, and he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.