calsfoundation@cals.org
January 5, 1971
Boxer Sonny Liston, son of Arkansas sharecroppers and former Heavyweight Champion in 1962, was found dead in his Las Vegas, Nevada, home. Liston briefly reigned as Heavyweight Champion after a first-round knockout in a fight against Floyd Patterson. However, his career was marred by criminal activity and, later, accusations of fostering mob connections and throwing fights.