It was December of 1969 and Charles “Sonny” Liston, the former world’s heavyweight champion was making a serious run toward another title shot. After his two humiliating losses to Clay-Ali, Sonny was considered washed up. When he began his comeback against weak opposition it drew little attention. With Ali forced out of action due to his stand on the Vietnam War, Sonny felt that he could reclaim the title. With Jimmy Ellis holding the W. B. A. title and Joe Frazier being recognized by New York State, Sonny was hoping to position himself for a crack at the crown.
After running off a streak of easy wins, Liston was now matched with young and talented Henry Clark. Sonny passed his first major test halting Clark in seven. Now Sonny wanted to meet another lower echelon contender. A victory for Sonny could mean a possible match with Jerry Quarry. Liston chose veteran Leotis Martin of Philadelphia as his next stepping-stone. Martin had been in with fighters like Ellis, Thad Spencer and Alvin “Blue” Lewis. He had lost a decision to Henry Clark. Martin seemed to be a “safe” test.
The bout started out pretty much as expected with Martin moving away and Liston in slow pursuit. Sonny was controlling the action with his powerful jab, but the pace was slow. In the fourth round, Liston finally connected and sent Martin to the canvas. Leotis made it to his feet and survived the bell. Sonny was hoping to finish Martin in the fifth, but it was Leotis who began picking up the pace. Martin was now matching jabs with Sonny and also getting some solid counterpunches. By round seven, Sonny was beginning to show obvious fatigue. Martin’s jab was finding its mark and Liston began bleeding profusely from the nose. The crowd now sensed the possibility of an upset. Round eight saw a patient Martin landing pinpoint jabds to Liston’s damaged nose. Sonny now had the look of a desperate fighter and the suspense was building.
As the boxers came out for round nine it was obviou that Martin was the fresher of the two. The damage to Liston’s nose was impending his breathing. Sonny kept pumping his jab hoping to keep Martin from landing his own jab. The veteran, Martin, bided his time looking for an opening. Then out of nowhere Martin landed a stunning right cross over Sonny’s lazy jab. The punch froze Sonny for a moment and then Martin connected with a devastating left hook. Liston fell face firts to the canvas, out cold. It would take several minutes to revive him. A brutal ending for a man who was once the most feared fighter in the world.
Leotis Martin’s victory shot him to the #1 contender spot in RING Magazine’s ratings. Maybe there would be an all Philadelphia shoot out with Frazier or a rematch with Ellis. Sadly it was not to be. Leotis suffered a detached retina. Today he could have had surgery and returned to the ring, in 1969 it meant retirement.
Liston would fight again stopping Chuck Wepner in a bloodbath. It would be his final ring appearance. He would later be found in his house, dead under very suspicious circumstances.
At least Martin had a brief moment in the sun and he’ll always be remembered as the man that bombed out Sonny!