Charles L. "Sonny" Liston (circa 1932–December 30, 1970)

American professional boxer known for his toughness, punching power and intimidating appearance. He became World Heavyweight Champion in 1962. Liston lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay).The Ring magazine ranked Liston as the 7th greatest heavyweight of all-time in 1998 and the 15th greatest puncher of all-time in 2003.
Liston was found dead by his wife, Geraldine, in their Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971. On returning home from a 2-week trip, Geraldine had smelled a foul odor emanating from the main bedroom and on entering saw Sonny slumped up against the bed, a broken foot bench on the floor.
Sergeant Dennis Caputo of the Clark County Sheriff's Department was one of the first officers on the scene. Caputo found a quarter-ounce of heroin in a balloon in the kitchen and a half-ounce of marijuana in Liston's pants pocket, but no syringes or needles. Some found it suspicious that authorities could not locate any drug paraphernalia that Liston presumably would have needed to inject the fatal dose, such as a spoon to cook the heroin or a tourniquet to wrap around his arm.
The date of death listed on his death certificate is 12-30-70, which police estimated by judging the number of milk bottles and newspapers at the front door.
Coroner Mark Herman said small traces of heroin byproducts were found in Liston's system.
Officially, Liston died of lung congestion and heart failure.
Many people who knew Liston insisted that he was afraid of needles and never would have used heroin. "He had a deadly fear of needles," said Davey Pearl, a boxing referee and friend of Liston's."There was nothing Sonny feared more than a needle. I know!" said Liston's Philadelphia dentist, Dr. Nick Ragni. "He was afraid of needles," echoed Father Edward Murphy. "He would do everything to avoid taking shots." According to Liston's trainer, Willie Reddish, Liston cancelled a tour to Africa in 1963 because he refused to get the required inoculations. Liston's wife also reported that he avoided needles.