Sept. 18, 1962 - There are two Sonny Listons, it seems. Both are larger than life. Both showed up in the heavyweight challenger’s training camp today — at different times, of course. Liston No. 1 was a human scowl who nodded and grunted. He emitted such intense hostility that everyone near him felt intimidated. This is the Liston who expects to separate Floyd Patterson from his senses and the world heavyweight boxing title Tuesday at Comiskey Park, Chicago. But according to Liston No. 2 — a friendly but suspicious fellow — Liston No. 1 is a deliberate creation. “When I look mean and just grunt and nod,” No. 2 said today, “it’s my way of getting myself in the right frame of mind for a fight. I want to be mean and tough in the ring. That’s how a fighter is supposed to be. That doesn’t mean I hate Patterson. How could I hate him? A lot of people have put it in the papers that I hate him. That’s a lie. And that’s another reason why I don’t talk much. When I nod and grunt, it’s my way of saying, ‘Why don’t you get the hell out of here? Can’t you see I don’t want anything to do with you?’ That’s as diplomatic as I can be.”
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