Sonny Liston vs. Emil Brtko
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Sonny Liston 202 lbs beat Emil Brtko 197 lbs by TKO at 2:55 in round 5 of 10
- Date: 1955-05-05
- Location: Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Referee: Buck McTiernan
"Charles Sonny Liston, 202, St. Louis, swarmed all over Emil Brtko, 197, Pittsburgh, to win a TKO at 2:55 of the 5th round of a scheduled 10 round main go at the Gardens tonight. Liston used Brtko almost as he would a punching bag. He whaled away with such intensity that ringsiders were yelling to referee Buck McTiernan and State Athletic Commissioner Paul Sullivan to stop the uneven contest. Brtko drew an ovation, however, for his courage. Despite the battering in every round he refused to be floored." -Associated Press
- Liston was the 4th choice opponent for Brtko for this May 5th date. Charley Powell, the original opponent, was automatically ineligible to fight in Pennsylvania for 30 days due to suffering a recent TKO. Marty Marshall was then signed as a substitute but was stopped by Liston a few days after signing. Bob Satterfield was then announced as Brtko's opponent but was refused by the Pennsylvania Commission because they felt Brtko would be over-matched. It then fell to Liston.
- Attendance - 2,834
- Gate - $10,191