Officially, Sonny Liston died 54 years ago today (December 30th, 1970) although his body wasn't discovered until January 5th, 1971 by his wife, Geraldine.

Also on December 30th, 1970....Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier signed to meet for the undisputed heavyweight title on March 8th, 1971, at Madison Square Garden.

Ironically Liston dies the day Ali and Frazier sign to meet.

One day during the Summer of 1978 Liston's former trainer Willie Reddish, who trained Curtis Parker at the time, was cutting the tape off of our gloves after we got done sparring and Joe Frazier walks through the door into the gym.

After Joe passes, I whisper to Parker, ask Willie who wins prime Liston or Frazier - so he does.

Reddish says to paraphrase - I'm not going to say anything since we're in Joe's gym. But had Sonny lived to see Ali and Frazier fight, he was convinced Ali was going to win and was prepared to bet whatever money he had on him. As we know Sonny wasn't an unbiased observer and lost money betting on Mac Foster to beat Jerry Quarry in June of 1970.

Pictured: Liston & Reddish circa 1962.