The Champ Nobody Wanted - The Tragedy of Sonny Liston

Sonny Liston was one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, but his death in Las Vegas has never felt as simple as the official explanation. The coroner said natural causes... but was it?

His life and boxing career are the stuff of legend. Liston had giant fists, an almost impossible reach, shocking athleticism, and what one writer described as “the ability to take a punch that would stagger a water buffalo.” But behind the myth was a man shaped by poverty, violence, prison, racism, exploitation, and a public that seemed to fear him even when he became champion.

In this episode, we look at the rise and fall of Charles “Sonny” Liston: from rural Arkansas to a Missouri State Penitentiary, from heavyweight glory to the controversial Ali fights, and finally to the mystery that still surrounds his death.

Listen now to hear Sonny’s tragic story, and subscribe to get the episode ad-free, plus our Swing Shift bonus episode where we discuss the making of this one.


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