February 25, 1964

Less than a year after winning the Heavyweight Championship, a heavily favored Sonny Liston (a native of St. Francis County) lost his title to upstart Cassius Clay (soon to be Muhammad Ali) when he refused to answer the bell for the seventh round, claiming a shoulder injury. The rematch on May 25, 1965, was even more controversial. Liston went down in the first round, felled by a punch few saw. It was scandal on top of scandal; Liston’s reputation—already tainted by prison time, allegations of mob connections, and charges of sexual assault—never recovered. He continued fighting until June 29, 1970, but he never got another title shot. His final record as a professional was fifty wins (thirty-nine by knockout) and four losses.