Sonny Liston Net Worth (Updated 2025).

Sonny Liston, born in 1932, grew up in the impoverished streets of St. Louis, Missouri, where he honed his physical prowess to survive the harsh conditions. He discovered boxing in his late teens, serving time in a juvenile detention center, and quickly demonstrated a natural talent for the sport. His raw power and intimidating presence in the ring earned him the nickname “The Big Bear.”

Liston’s professional boxing career began in 1953, and he quickly racked up an impressive record, with only a single loss in his first 40 fights. His knockout ratio was astonishing, with over 80% of his victories coming by way of knockout. This streak of dominance caught the attention of the boxing world and propelled him to fame. By the late 1950s, Liston had become a formidable force in the heavyweight division, setting the stage for his eventual world title shot.

Sonny Liston’s Current Net Worth (2025)

As of 2025, Sonny Liston’s current net worth is estimated to be $10 million. This figure takes into account his career earnings, investments, and other ventures. Despite his passing in 1970, Liston’s legacy and earnings continue to grow through various means.

Career

Sonny Liston, born Charles “Sonny” Liston, was an American heavyweight boxer who held the title from 1962 to 1964. He was known for his intimidating presence and powerful punches. Liston’s career highlights include defending his title against top contenders like Floyd Patterson and Cleveland Williams. He retired from boxing in 1970 with a record of 50 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.

Other Ventures

After retiring from boxing, Liston ventured into various business opportunities. He opened a nightclub in Las Vegas, which unfortunately closed down due to financial struggles. Liston also tried his hand at acting, appearing in films like “The Greatest” and “Mandingo”. Despite these endeavors, Liston’s primary source of wealth remains his boxing career earnings.

Assets

Sonny Liston’s assets primarily include his boxing memorabilia, which are now considered collector’s items. These include his championship belts, gloves, and fight footage. His estate also owns the rights to his name and likeness, which generate income through merchandising and licensing deals. Additionally, Liston owned a home in Las Vegas, which was later sold after his death.

Annual Income

While Sonny Liston is no longer alive, his estate continues to generate annual income. This comes from various sources such as licensing fees for the use of his name and likeness, royalties from film appearances, and the sale of his boxing memorabilia. The exact figure of Liston’s annual income is not publicly disclosed, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Sonny Liston

Frequently Asked Questions: Sonny Liston Net Worth

1. What was Sonny Liston’s net worth?

Sonny Liston’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million at the time of his death.

2. How did Sonny Liston make his money?

Sonny Liston made his fortune primarily through his successful boxing career. He was a two-time heavyweight champion and had several high-profile fights that earned him significant prize money.

3. What was Sonny Liston’s boxing record?

Sonny Liston had a professional boxing record of 50 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw with 39 wins by knockout.

4. When did Sonny Liston retire from boxing?

Sonny Liston retired from boxing in 1970, after losing a rematch to Muhammad Ali.

5. What was Sonny Liston’s cause of death?

Sonny Liston died on December 30, 1970, at the age of 38. His cause of death was officially listed as a heart attack, but there have been various conspiracy theories surrounding his death.

6. Did Sonny Liston have any children?

Yes, Sonny Liston had five children from his two marriages.

7. What was Sonny Liston’s height and weight?

Sonny Liston was 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed around 215 pounds during his boxing career.

8. What was Sonny Liston’s nickname?

Sonny Liston was known by the nickname “The Big Bear.”

9. What was Sonny Liston’s most famous fight?

Sonny Liston’s most famous fight was his first bout against Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) on February 25, 1964. Liston won the fight by knockout in the first round but lost the rematch six months later.

10. What impact did Sonny Liston have on boxing?

Sonny Liston is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He was known for his powerful punches and intimidating presence in the ring. His fights against Muhammad Ali are some of the most iconic in boxing history and helped to bring the sport to a wider audience.