Just after finalizing the contracts to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against
#1 Ranked - Cassius Clay.
Sonny Liston and his Group were supposed to go on a Tour/Boxing Exhibition of South Africa
in November and December 1963.
The Tour, which was to start off in Cape Town was put together by South Africa Fight Promoter
Mr. Tiger Shaik.
Sonny Boy, who already 'screwed up' his European Tour in the United Kingdom in September 1963,
was out to make up for his growing bad reputation for not honoring contracts after receiving money.
Associated Booking out of New York had dealt with Sonny Boy previously, and were burned badly
by the former convict and Mob-Thug.
Representatives for Associated Booking Agency out New York stated that, 'Sonny Liston was a 100%
phony, and the most ungrateful person that they had ever dealt with. Mr. Liston is a 'certified fraud'.
He came to us 'begging' to help change his poor image. We put together a 'Goodwill Boxing Tour'
of Scandanavia and Europe. Then he takes the money, walks out on his commitment and stabs
us in the back.'
Il Duce, how had Sonny Liston 'screwed up' his tour in the UK?
