BoxRec

What makes German heavyweight boxers Hermann Schreibauer and Gerhard Zech unique in relation to world heavyweight boxing?

Well they both got knocked out by Sonny Liston if I'm not mistaken?

Not that it makes them unique, even as Germans, considering Albert Westphall got flattened as well. Is location a factor?

Stupid me !
I'm bored silly. I missed Westphal. Of course your right the only Europeans to have fought Liston.
I'm reading Nick Tosches book on Liston again. I was always surprised he never fought in Britain like so many of his contempories Valdez, Williams, Folley, Charles and later on Machen.
Cooper's manager Jim Wicks was offered Liston before the first fight with Folley but didn't want any part of that big 'mahogany wardrobe'. However Wicks was warned by Vince Dundee in Miami some years before to avoid Liston at all costs. This might have been more to do with Liston's ' connections' that is Carbo and Palermo.
I've got several books on Liston but for anyone seeking the 'full ' story it has to be Tosches book. He ties down the mystery of Liston's birthdate as far as possible to around the autumn 1929. Meaning that he was 35 when he lost the title to Clay, and 36 when he 'dived' in the rematch. And about 41 when he fought Wepner.

dalcumly wrote: ↑31 Mar 2020, 13:16 Stupid me !
I'm bored silly. I missed Westphal. Of course your right the only Europeans to have fought Liston.
I'm reading Nick Tosches book on Liston again. I was always surprised he never fought in Britain like so many of his contempories Valdez, Williams, Folley, Charles and later on Machen.
Cooper's manager Jim Wicks was offered Liston before the first fight with Folley but didn't want any part of that big 'mahogany wardrobe'. However Wicks was warned by Vince Dundee in Miami some years before to avoid Liston at all costs. This might have been more to do with Liston's ' connections' that is Carbo and Palermo.
I've got several books on Liston but for anyone seeking the 'full ' story it has to be Tosches book. He ties down the mystery of Liston's birthdate as far as possible to around the autumn 1929. Meaning that he was 35 when he lost the title to Clay, and 36 when he 'dived' in the rematch. And about 41 when he fought Wepner.

I suppose the queue of British fighters to take on Liston wasn't long, but I think Brian London volunteered his sparring services when Liston toured the UK, only to be ignored. It was before my time but would the Board have been funny about letting him fight here with his reputation etc?

We'll never know the truth about Liston, fifty years on and all.

I saw an old press photo of Liston in a kilt years and years ago and always wondered what the back story was. I guessed he was up in Scotland for something. The thread reminded me so I Googled it.

Apparently he was in Glasgow for a week in '63 and appeared on the undercard of Walt McGowan and Killer Soloman (although it appears he didn't actually fight, perhaps the fight was an exhibition - anyone know who he faced?). The kilt was from a retired drum major, article about the visit here:

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2015/02/1 ... -scotland/

Liston was invited to do a tour of the UK. The Glasgow end was organised by Peter Keenan and of course for press photos he had to get dressed up in a kilt. Two interesting asides regarding Peter Keenan ( great record top boxer). Keenan was about 5'5". One night when Keenan, Liston and others were having a drink in a hotel in Glasgow, Liston began to get a bit 'cheeky', although he might not have realised. However others present noticed Keenan beginning to lose his temper. They tried to change the subject and make light of it but Liston didn't get it. Eventually Keenan erupted and asked Liston to step outside to settle the matter. Liston couldn't believe it, he thought it was a joke. Keenan had 'lost' it by that time and had a 'go' at Liston in the hotel before others calmed it down.
Keenan's young son was soon after invited to the US by Liston and the boy stayed with Liston and his wife for some considerable time ( several months I believe).
There's other photos of Liston riding a white horse in Newcastle during the tour.
By the way, the Brian London story could also be true, Brian would have fought Goliath if the money was good.

dalcumly wrote: ↑31 Mar 2020, 13:16 Stupid me !
I'm bored silly. I missed Westphal. Of course your right the only Europeans to have fought Liston.
I'm reading Nick Tosches book on Liston again. I was always surprised he never fought in Britain like so many of his contempories Valdez, Williams, Folley, Charles and later on Machen.
Cooper's manager Jim Wicks was offered Liston before the first fight with Folley but didn't want any part of that big 'mahogany wardrobe'. However Wicks was warned by Vince Dundee in Miami some years before to avoid Liston at all costs. This might have been more to do with Liston's ' connections' that is Carbo and Palermo.
I've got several books on Liston but for anyone seeking the 'full ' story it has to be Tosches book. He ties down the mystery of Liston's birthdate as far as possible to around the autumn 1929. Meaning that he was 35 when he lost the title to Clay, and 36 when he 'dived' in the rematch. And about 41 when he fought Wepner.

There's some problems with that book, and Tosches is very naive about boxing, but overall it's a beautiful read steeped in atmosphere.

What about Willie Besmanoff?

Besmanoff - yes !! I should really learn to keep my mouth shut - I'm blaming the coronavirus!!