BOXING Liston Predicts Quick Finish

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30188, 20 July 1963, Page 5

BOXING Liston Predicts Quick Finish

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LAS VEGAS (Nevada), June 19. Sonny Liston, at his peak fighting weight and supremely confident, put away his skipping rope and medicine ball after a final light workout today.

His defence of the world heavy-weight championship against Floyd Patterson, at Las Vegas on Monday night, “will not last very long if everything goes off as planned,” he said yesterday.

Told that Patterson wanted to start fast Liston said he would also follow a policy of “charge.”

Liston expects to enter the ring weighing about 15st 41b. This was his weight when he knocked out Patterson in the first round at their last meeting—in Chicago last September

Patterson expects to weigh 13st 121 b, half-a-stone more than at Chicago. Today’s training session—with no boxing—and a press conference afterwards will be Liston’s last public appearance until the weigh-in on Monday

Patterson was in seclusion yesterday and appears to have wound up his boxing programme But he may also do light work today. The champion matched wits with Cassius Clay yesterday when Clay disrupted Liston’s training session.

When Clay made clucking noises with his tongue as Liston pounded the speed bag, Liston cracked: "That’s the noise your bones will make when I hit you.”

Clay taunted the champion with: “You’re too slow and too ugly.” Clay Retreats

Once Liston moved ominously towards him and looked as if he might unleash a punch. Clay stepped back hurriedly. Liston earned a roar of applause from the crowd of about 1000 by rushing around the circumference of the ring, indicating his opinion that Clay would run from him in any contest.

Patterson’s beard and moustache disguise was mentioned in reporters’ questions today. He wore the disguise after losing to Liston last September, and has revealed that it is with him in Las Vegas.

Liston was asked what he thought of this masquerade and indicated surprise. “I hope I can make use of it,” the champion said Asked if he would fight Sonny Liston if he were Patterson. Liston replied: “I’d get my disguise and go back to New York, I wouldn’t fight me.”