BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Sonny Boy . . . had worked his way back up the ladder, to the #1 WBA Heavyweight and #3 Ring Magazine Heavyweight.

Il Duce wrote:October 15, 1969. . . Leotis and 'friend' Sonny Liston talked about fighting each other, something
that was 'never' discussed before.

Il Duce wrote:October 15, 1969

Swedish Fight Promoter - Bertil Knutsson has finalized contracts for Sonny Liston to face Leotis Martin
on December 6, 1969 - and in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Top 10 Heavyweight boxers who are friends and know each other well, have discussed fighting each
other since June 1969, but were unable to get a Promoter to put up the fight purses.

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Il Duce wrote:May 1969,

Right after Sonny Liston stopped {TKO 7} George Johnson in Las Vegas on May 19, 1969 - Sonny got a call from
Leotis Martin looking for work.

Sonny said that he didn't need a sparring-partner at the time because he had {Gary Bates}, but suggested that
maybe they could get a decent 'pay-day' if they fought.

Leotis, who had not fought in 3-Months, since defeating Al 'Blue' Lewis on February 28, 1969 in Detroit was looking
for a decent money bout.

Sonny then talked to Las Vegas Promoter - Bill Miller about getting a bout for late-June 1969 in Las Vegas, but Bill Miller
had other commitments lined up.

Sonny then had contacted Ingemar Johansson and Bertil Knutsson to see if they could put together a bout in Sweden.

Several suggestions were made, but nothing concrete. Bertil had suggested July 1969, but Sonny couldn't go in July
because he had other business dealings in Los Angeles.

Leotis had later told Sonny that he preferred an August 1969 date if possible.

The 'ball' was rolling.

Il Duce wrote:

Il Duce wrote:May 1969,

Right after Sonny Liston stopped {TKO 7} George Johnson in Las Vegas on May 19, 1969 - Sonny got a call from
Leotis Martin looking for work.

Sonny said that he didn't need a sparring-partner at the time because he had {Gary Bates}, but suggested that
maybe he could use him if the proposed bout with WBA Heavyweight Champion - Jimmy Ellis was finalized.

Leotis, who had not fought in 3-Months, since defeating Al 'Blue' Lewis on February 28, 1969 in Detroit was looking
for a decent money bout or at least some work as a Chief Sparring partner for Sonny.

Sonny who was working with Las Vegas Promoter - Bill Miller, were trying to get a bout with Jimmy Ellis signed for
an August 1969 date.

Sonny promised Leotis a decent money bout on the undercard, if the bout with Jimmy Ellis was signed.

See, Friends > Gary Bates

raylawpc wrote:

Il Duce wrote:Sonny Boy . . . had worked his way back up the ladder, to the #1 WBA Heavyweight and #3 Ring Magazine Heavyweight.

Sources please . . .

Il Duce wrote:Sonny Liston

June 27, 1969

After a bout with WBA Champion- Jimmy Ellis fell through, Texas Boxing Enterprises fight promoter Earl Gilliam
offered Sonny Liston a bout with Dave 'Ziggy' Zyglewicz on July 29, 1969 in Texas.

Dave Zyglewicz was coming off his '1st-Round KO Loss' to Champion - Joe Frazier on April 22, 1969.

On the undercard, it was supposed to be Sonny's friend - Leotis Martin vs. former Contender - Cleveland Williams.

Sonny Liston >
"It's a good opportunity for me to help out two of my old friends. It should be a good fight card."

Il Duce wrote:WBA Ratings {As of August 18, 1969}

*** Jimmy Ellis
#1.. Joe Frazier
#2.. Oscar Bonavena
#3.. Leotis Martin
#4.. Jerry Quarry
#5.. Sonny Liston
#6.. Gregorio Peralta
#7.. Al Jones
#8.. Mac Foster
#9.. Henry Cooper
#10. Billy Joiner

> Gregorio Peralta had moved up, due to his recent 'Draw' with Oscar Bonavena.
> Billy Joiner of Cincinnati moved into the Top 10, as result of an 'Upset' 10-Round Decision over Robert Cleroux.

Sonny Liston who had won by {TKO 7} over George Johnson on May 19, 1969 in Las Vegas, had potential bouts with
Buster Mathis {for Stockholm, Sweden}, and Dave Zyglewicz {for Houston, Texas}, and WBA Champion - Jimmy Ellis
{for Las Vegas} all fall through.

On August 4, 1969 ~ Sonny Liston signed a 'contract' with Feature Attractions, Inc. of Las Vegas {President; Loren Cassina}.

Feature Attractions was putting together a 12-Round Elimination bout between Sonny Liston versus either George Chuvalo
or Robert Cleroux {both Canadians} for September 1969, and in either Toronto or Montreal. The fight would be televised,
and the expected Gate would be estimated at $100,000.

On the undercard, would be Sonny's friend Leotis Martin against either of the Canadian's.

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Il Duce wrote:Sonny Boy, with a record of 49-3-0 {38 KO's} had worked his way back up the ladder, to the #1 WBA Heavyweight
. . . .

Il Duce wrote:August 5, 1969

"Vegas Group Signs Liston"

Yea Baby.............

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Il Duce wrote:August 1969

Dick Saddler, who is the 'current' Manager for Sonny Liston has stated that his fighter was offered
$85,000 to fight Jerry Quarry at the Oakland Coliseum.

Dick Saddler >
'I'm not putting Sonny in the Ring with anybody other than a Champion {Joe Frazier or Jimmy Ellis} or the
#1 Challenger in a guaranteed Elimination bout.

'Sonny is going to start filming in Tucson, Arizona in early October 1969, but we may take a nice easy tune-up
bout in Houston in late-September. I have been talking to Texas Boxing Enterprises, and we have an offer for a bout
with Sonny Liston taking on a Texas Heavyweight, and my other fighter George Foreman will also be on the fight card.'

Il Duce wrote:

raylawpc wrote:

Il Duce wrote:August 1969

Dick Saddler, who is the 'current' Manager for Sonny Liston has stated that his fighter was offered
$85,000 to fight Jerry Quarry at the Oakland Coliseum.

Dick Saddler >
'I'm not putting Sonny in the Ring with anybody other than a Champion {Joe Frazier or Jimmy Ellis} or the
#1 Challenger in a guaranteed Elimination bout.

'Sonny is going to start filming in Tucson, Arizona in early October 1969, but we may take a nice easy tune-up
bout in Houston in late-September. I have been talking to Texas Boxing Enterprises, and we have an offer for a bout
with Sonny Liston taking on a Texas Heavyweight, and my other fighter George Foreman will also be on the fight card.'

I thought you wrote Sonny was the No. 1 WBA challenger . . .

Not in August 1969.

Il Duce wrote:Tuesday Afternoon ~ September 23, 1969

Dallas, Texas

"Hundreds See Sonny Liston Train For Texas Bout, Fights Sonny Moore Tonight"

Hundreds of fans, young and old, crowded the small Texas Boxing Gymnasium to see former Heavyweight
Champion - Sonny Liston finish up on his training for his bout tonight at Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston
against 'South Dallas Policeman' Sonny Moore.

Sonny, looking bigger than his 'prime' Championship fighting days 6-years ago, hit the Heavy Bag as onlookers
stared in amazement at the power the former Champion displayed.

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Il Duce wrote:Tuesday ~ September 23, 1969

'We have had a lot of offers, but Sonny may have to fight his friend {Leotis Martin} in a WBA Elimination bout to get a shot
at Jimmy Ellis.'

Il Duce wrote:October 2, 1969
I have been in contact with Bertil Knutsson in Sweden, and may face Leotis Martin {my friend} in Stockholm after I'm done with filming my movie role.'

Il Duce wrote: Leotis Martin >

"Next up is my friend Sonny Liston who I will see out in Las Vegas in 3-Weeks."

Il Duce wrote:Both Sonny Liston and Leotis Martin . . . will put their friendship aside
and tangle in the Ring.

Il Duce wrote:Tuesday - December 2, 1969

Las Vegas, Nevada

"ODDS DROP FROM 3-1 TO 13-5, SONNY STILL FAVORED OVER LEOTIS MARTIN"

Following a Tuesday Afternoon sparring session, the Odds-Makers have dropped the Odds to 13-5
in favor of Sonny Liston for Saturday's bout with Leotis Martin.

Sonny again looked 'ho-hum' in his 6-Round sparring-session, going 3-Rounds with George Foreman
and 3-Rounds with Joe 'Shotgun' Sheldon. Later, Sonny added a 'shadow-boxing' session with friend
and Las Vegas Heavyweight - Gary Bates.

Dick Saddler >
"I'm not worried about Sonny. He's an experienced guy, and he knows how to get ready for a fight. He'll peak
on Friday and will be ready."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leotis Martin, weighing {197 lbs.} again looked sharp, as he took turns with Jerry Judge, Ed 'Bo-Jack' Williams
and Joe Perea, going 2-Rounds with each Ring partner.

Quenzall McCall >
"Leotis is doing fine. We have a fight-plan, and we're not going to just go in there and slug with Sonny. We want to
make him work and tire him out before we make our move."

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