Sonny Liston vs. Roy Harris

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Sonny Liston 213 lbs beat Roy Harris 195 lbs by TKO at 2:35 in round 1 of 10

• Date: 1960-04-25
• Location: Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USA
• Referee: Jimmy Webb

"Sonny Liston battered Roy Harris to the canvas three times in the 1st round for an automatic TKO under NBA rules. Liston dumped Harris underneath the ropes for a nine count with a solid left hook, then as Harris got to his feet, shaking his head, Liston decked him for the second time. Once more Harris staggered to his feet after a nine count, and once again Liston landed a vicious left to the chin. Referee Jimmy Webb called it off at 2:35 of the 1st round." -United Press International

Notes

• Liston was ranked No. 2 by the National Boxing Association and No. 3 by The Ring magazine.
• Both the NBA and The Ring ranked Harris No. 6.
• Liston was a 3-1 favorite.
• The fight was shown on closed circuit TV in eleven cities.
• Harris was down three times.
• Attendance - (more than) 12,000
• Gate - $70,200 (This gate broke all previous Texas records)
• Purses - It was estimated both fighters would receive more than $20,000 apiece. They were both guaranteed $10,000 or 25% of the gate plus 25% of television receipts.

Article

• Associated Press, "Liston Picked Over Harris In Heavyweight 10 Tonight" April 23, 1960 [1]
• Associated Press, "Liston Blisters Harris Early In Top Texas Scrap" April 27, 1960 [2]

Post fight comments

• "It seemed as though he had a foot of reach on me. One time I thought I was half-way across the ring from him and he popped my head back with a jab." -Roy Harris

• "I want a shot at the title next, but if I can't get it, I'll fight anybody that gets in my way." -Sonny Liston