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Sonny Liston Rare Autograph on an 11” x 14” Paul Abdoo Photograph.
Lot 7. Sonny Liston Rare Autograph on an 11” x 14” Paul Abdoo Photograph. Uncommon on anything, Liston autographs are especially collectible on this scarce colorized image by the Denver photographer. This signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is nm-m 8. Typically found signed by Liston and another person, the photo shows Liston wearing the World Heavyweight Championship belt presented by “Ring” magazine. The controversial champion retained Abdoo to improve his image. He apparently gave signed copies of this photo to his friends and selected individuals he wanted to impress. In 1962, Liston destroyed Floyd Patterson in the first round of their heavyweight championship bout in Chicago. He retained the title when he knocked out Patterson again in the first round of their 1963 rematch. In February 1964, he lost the championship to Muhammad Ali (as Cassius Clay), who scored a TKO in the seventh round. Ali ended their 1965 rematch in the first round. Liston learned to box while serving time in the Missouri State Penitentiary for armed robbery. After being paroled and then returning briefly to prison, he climbed to the top of the heavyweight challengers’ list by 1960. At the age of approximately 38 (his date of birth is uncertain), he died at his home in Las Vegas in 1970 under murky circumstances. Although lung congestion and heart failure were listed as the official cause of death, some sources said Liston died of a heroin overdose, and some police and friends claimed he was murdered. The photo has a somewhat heavy crease in the upper left corner well away from Liston’s image. The “on” in “Liston” is set against a somewhat dark part of the photo background. This is a highly collectible single-signed image of the Boxing Hall of Fame champion!
Winning Bid $3,909.
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