Sonny Liston vs Leotis Martin (Full Fight Highlights)

Sonny Liston 220 lbs lost to Leotis Martin 199 lbs by KO at 1:08 in round 9 of 12
Date: 1969-12-06
Location: International Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
NABF Heavyweight Title (Vacant title).
Inaugural NABF title fight.
Martin was ranked third by the WBA, and Liston was ranked fifth.
Liston was a 13-5 favorite.
Since losing to Muhammad Ali in 1965, Liston had won 14 consecutive fights, 13 by knockout.
Liston knocked Martin on the seat of his trunks at 2:11 of the fourth round with a left hook to the jaw. He was up quickly and didn't appear badly hurt.
Martin, behind on points, knocked out Liston at 1:08 of the ninth round. He hurt Liston with a vicious right and followed up with a left hook and another right. Liston went down flat on his face and was counted out.
This was Martin's last fight. He was forced to retire due to a detached retina he suffered in this bout.
Post fight comments:
"I want either Frazier or Ellis next." - Leotis Martin
"I don't know. Sonny was winning easy until those lucky punches. If he had been beaten all the way I might say he would quit but not this way." -Dick Sadler, Liston's manager, when asked if Liston would retire.
"He was out for a long time. He only came to when his seconds gave him a second shot of smelling salts." -Dr. Donald Romeo, on Liston's condition
"Maybe Sonny Liston will get a title shot now that we lost today...because we sure couldn't get one while we were winning." -Dick Sadler