Sonny Liston Crushes Floyd Patterson Again In Million Dollar Replay History
The fight had great significance beyond the tournament itself. It was the first heavyweight title fight sanctioned by the newly formed World Boxing Council (WBC), and Liston defended his honors as the WBA, New York State Athletic Commission and The Ring heavyweight champion. It also broke financial records, as both fighters earned $1.434 million each, the first time in boxing history that each participant received a seven-figure purse.
The replay never took place on its scheduled date. After Liston’s devastating first-round knockout of Patterson on September 25, 1962, Patterson exercised a rematch clause in his contract. The fight was scheduled for April 4 in Miami Beach before it was delayed due to Liston’s left knee injury. It was then moved to Las Vegas and postponed again when Patterson underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his right hand.
Despite the delay, few believe Patterson’s chances have improved. Liston came in with a 34-1 record and was placed as a 4-1 betting favorite, reportedly sparring because he expected another fast night.
To Patterson’s credit, he enjoyed more success than in their first meeting, landing a few combinations early on. But closing the distance against the tall, powerful champion remained nearly impossible. Liston quickly found his range with his piston-like jab before unleashing heavy right hands and left hooks over the top.
The punishment escalated quickly. Liston blasted Patterson to the canvas with a flurry of punches. Patterson bravely stood up twice, only to be taken down again moments later. After the third takedown, Krause ended the count as Patterson was unable to continue.
The war had barely begun before it was over. One vendor reportedly yelled, “Last round, folks!” just before the opening bell. The prediction turned out to be remarkably accurate.
Despite another strong victory, Liston is still struggling to win over the public. Many fans ignored the abbreviated title fight, frustrated that another Patterson-Liston meeting was over before they could settle into their seats.
“The community doesn’t have me. I know it,” Liston said afterward. “But they will have to turn around until someone hits me.”
The rematch produced many lasting effects in boxing. Ring magazine named one of his rounds the 1963 Round of the Year, making it the fifth year in a row that the Patterson fight received that distinction. The World Boxing Association also reacted against a rematch clause in the contract that produced another one-sided championship fight, voting the following month to suspend any member commission that approves mandatory return conditions.
Liston’s demolition of Patterson cemented his reputation as perhaps the most intimidating heavyweight champion the sport has ever seen. His aura of invincibility would last until February 1964, when a brave little challenger named Cassius Clay shocked the boxing world by taking the heavyweight championship in one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport.
Although neither Liston nor Patterson regained the heavyweight crown, both remained leading contenders in the 1960s. Their two shortest championship bouts, however, remain among the longest ever produced by a heavyweight champion, with Liston needing just over four minutes to finish both bouts.
