The massive-shouldered Negro looked like just another pug until he stung his man with a left to the belly in the third round. Then Sonny Liston came alive. A left hook to the head made big Nino Valdes drop his gloves; a right cross dumped him on the floor, his eyes glazed. It was Liston's 18th victory in a row, and his 25th in 26 pro fights.
Liston is one of 25 children born to an Arkansas farmer and his two wives. At twelve, Liston had an argument with his father, ran away to live with his mother in St. Louis. He...
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