BoxRec

Why was Sonny Liston not part of the WBA Heavyweight Tournament when Ali was stripped? Was he considered non-deserving (i.e., not a top 8 heavyweight, which I have a hard time believing)? Or was he just blackbolled by the establishment because of his shady background? Any insights?

It likely had something to do with a combination of the two possible reasons you listed. In other words, Sonny Liston in fact wasn't listed in Ring's top 8 (or even top 10) heavyweight contenders of 1967 and this probably was because he was seen on his way down and out as a serious boxer (even though he kept fighting and, for a while, winning after his two losses to Ali). This in turn had more than a little to do with Liston's second (and maybe first) loss to Ali, where even if he didn't deliberately throw the fight he was thought by many to be not giving his best effort and/or quitting.

Now, as you say, it could still be argued that Liston should've been in the top 10...particularly as Floyd Patterson was listed, and Sonny had of course decisively beaten Patterson twice. It looks like Nat Fleischer had something against Liston, which is sort of strange since IMO Fleischer himself screwed up at Ali-Liston II.

In the event, it wasn't even the top 8 ranked contenders who fought in the WBA tournament when: Joe Frazier, who iirc was already ranked #1 contender, took himself out of the tournament in order to fight for the NY/WBC version of the heavyweight title (against Buster Mathis, who wasn't ranked at the time but certainly an easier road to a title for Joe); Manuel Ramos also took himself out, apparently hoping for a future fight with Frazier (which he got, and lost); Eduardo Corletti was another who declined to participate, it was said he was looking to fight Ali (though he didn't get to).

So the WBA wound up with: former champ/Ali and Liston opponent Patterson, former WBA champ/Ali opponent Ernie Terrell, German champ/former Ali opponent Karl Mildenberger plus up-and-coming fighters Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry and Thad Spencer. Leotis Martin (was he ranked #11?) was added to round it out to 8, he didn't get far but later retroactively proved that he had earned his invitation by beating Liston (in what was his own last fight). 8 good fighters, the results were somewhat controversial, and there were some who said Liston should've been invited (not just 8 but 11 ahead if him) though it turned out he was indeed on his way downhill by that time.

Anthony
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sonny should have been in there. his career should ahve ended with something more significant than fights with chuck wepner and leotis martin.

then again if he had beat leotis he would have been back int he picture. savage KO.

I remember my thoughts at the time when the WBA announced the contestants for the tournament was that Sonny could beat all those guys.

This is an interesting subject, Sonney definately should have been in the tourneyment, he may have been on his way down but perhaps part of that was the fact that he saw himself as being washed up?...if he'd have been included that surely would have given him a boost...I cant see Floyd Patterson or Jimmy Ellis beating an in shape 1967 version Liston. I think that he would have given Joe Frazier a lot of trouble as well!...... he really got a raw deal did Sonney.

Any new info on this mystery? It is very puzzling I havent read the two books on sonny but I plan to search them down. This just does not make sense at first blush.

It was as simple - and disgraceful - as the boxing establishment of the time not wanting any part of Liston. Nat Fleischer in particular led a press campaign via The Ring to keep Sonny away from the game - he was one of those who shouted loudest for Liston to get a shot at Patterson in the early 1960s, but may well have changed his opinion as a result of the second Liston-Ali fight. (either because of the way it unfolded OR because he had a hand in the chaos at the end).

In today's climate, Liston would have taken a law suit against the WBA and likely have won either a place in the tournament and/or a large pay-out. (Think Rocchigiani versus WBC for similar thought not identical).

Remember a large part of the population (particularly the non-fight crowd) were persuaded via the media Liston as a big, bad, black guy, associated with the Mob...best kept away from decent people, etc etc. The notion that Sonny might again be champion was just too much for the boxing bosses and influencers of the time. Better to have "role models" like Floyd.... (!)

J