Marty Marshall passes on...
Posted: 31 Oct 2004, 16:10
The first man to beat Sonny Liston, Marty Marshall, died last Monday at his Detroit home. He was 80.
Marshall, known as "The Michigan Bomber", broke Liston's jaw after talking to the fearsome ex-convict early in their eight-rounder - then nailing him as Liston spoke back.
Liston's sullen demeanour is often attributed to that single moment. He stuck it out to the finish in agony - and never reacted in a boxing ring again.
A year later in 1955, Liston gained his revenge in six rounds in a fight that saw both men on the floor.
A third fight saw Liston win a 10-rounder on points.
Only Marshall, Muhammad Ali and Leotis Martin ever beat Liston.
Marshall, known as "The Michigan Bomber", broke Liston's jaw after talking to the fearsome ex-convict early in their eight-rounder - then nailing him as Liston spoke back.
Liston's sullen demeanour is often attributed to that single moment. He stuck it out to the finish in agony - and never reacted in a boxing ring again.
A year later in 1955, Liston gained his revenge in six rounds in a fight that saw both men on the floor.
A third fight saw Liston win a 10-rounder on points.
Only Marshall, Muhammad Ali and Leotis Martin ever beat Liston.
