On September 25, 1962, a 30-year-old Sonny Liston (33-1, 23 KOs) got a shot at the WBA and The Ring heavyweight titles held by 27-year-old Floyd Patterson (38-2, 29 KOs).
Liston came in to the fight on a 26-fight win streak with a 67% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 9 months and 21 days. Patterson was on a 3-fight win streak with a 72% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 9 months and 21 days.
Sonny Liston made quick work of Floyd Patterson, stopping the champion via KO in the 1st. Liston improves his record to 34-1 (24 KOs), while Patterson adds a loss to his record at 38-3.
On July 22, 1963, the 31-year-old WBA and The Ring heavyweight champion, Sonny Liston (34-1, 24 KOs), and the 28-year-old WBC heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson (38-3, 29 KOs) faced each other for the undisputed world championpionship.
Liston came in to the fight on a 27-fight win streak with a 68% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 9 months and 27 days. Patterson was on a -1-fight win streak with a 70% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 9 months and 27 days.
Sonny Liston made quick work of Floyd Patterson in the rematch, stopping Patterson via KO in the 1st. Liston improves his record to 35-1 (25 KOs), while Patterson adds a loss to his record at 38-4.
On March 21, 1960, a 27-year-old Sonny Liston (27-1, 18 KOs) and a 26-year-old Cleveland Williams (45-3, 37 KOs) met in the ring for the 2nd time,.
Liston came in to the fight on a 20-fight win streak with a 64% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 27 days. Williams was on a 2-fight win streak with a 77% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 5 months and 7 days.
In the rematch, Sonny Liston stopped Cleveland Williams via TKO in the 2nd round. Liston improves his record to 28-1 (19 KOs), while Williams adds a loss to his record at 45-4.
On July 18, 1960, a 28-year-old Sonny Liston (29-1, 20 KOs) and a 29-year-old Zora Folley (51-3-2, 29 KOs) met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 22-fight win streak with a 66% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 23 days. Folley was on a 10-fight win streak with a 51% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 13 days.
Sonny Liston stopped Zora Folley via KO in the 3rd round. Liston improves his record to 30-1 (21 KOs), while Folley adds a loss to his record at 51-4-2.
On April 25, 1960, a 27-year-old Sonny Liston (28-1, 19 KOs) and Roy Harris met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 21-fight win streak with a 65% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 4 days.
Sonny Liston stopped Roy Harris via TKO in the 1st round. Liston improves his record to 29-1 (20 KOs)
On April 15, 1959, a 26-year-old Sonny Liston (23-1, 14 KOs) and a 25-year-old Cleveland Williams (43-2, 35 KOs) met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 16-fight win streak with a 58% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 28 days. Williams was on a 12-fight win streak with a 77% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 2 days.
Sonny Liston stopped Cleveland Williams via TKO in the 3rd round. Liston improves his record to 24-1 (15 KOs), while Williams adds a loss to his record at 43-3.
On December 10, 1968, a 36-year-old Sonny Liston (45-3, 35 KOs) and Amos Lincoln met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 10-fight win streak with a 72% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 28 days.
Sonny Liston stopped Amos Lincoln via KO in the 2nd round. Liston improves his record to 46-3 (36 KOs)
On August 5, 1959, a 27-year-old Sonny Liston (24-1, 15 KOs) and Niño Valdés met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 17-fight win streak with a 60% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 21 days.
Sonny Liston stopped Niño Valdés via KO in the 3rd round. Liston improves his record to 25-1 (16 KOs)
On December 9, 1959, a 27-year-old Sonny Liston (25-1, 16 KOs) and Willi Besmanoff met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 18-fight win streak with a 61% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 4 days.
Sonny Liston stopped Willi Besmanoff via RTD in the 6th round. Liston improves his record to 26-1 (17 KOs)
On May 19, 1969, a 37-year-old Sonny Liston (47-3, 36 KOs) and George Johnson met in the ring.
Liston came in to the fight on a 12-fight win streak with a 72% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 21 days.
Sonny Liston stopped George Johnson via TKO in the 7th round. Liston improves his record to 48-3 (37 KOs)