Title challenge delay Liston became the No. 1 contender in 1960, but the handlers of world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson refused to give him a shot at the title citing Liston's links to organized crime. While Liston began working into shape with hopes for a heavyweight title shot, he also continued his criminal behavior. Two more arrests—for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and another for impersonating a cop—led to Liston being suspended by the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission on July 14, 1961. The suspension was honored in all states. Ironically, Patterson's manager, Cus D'Amato, associated with racketeers and had his manager's license revoked by the New York State Athletic Commission for alleged misconduct in connection with the Floyd Patterson–Ingemar Johansson title fight in June 1959.
Title challenge delay Liston became the No. 1 contender in 1960, but the handlers of world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson refused to give him a shot at the title citing Liston's links to organized crime. While Liston began working into shape with hopes for a heavyweight title shot, he also contin?ued his criminal behavior. Two more arrests—for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and another for impersonating a cop—led! to Liston being suspended by the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission on July 14, 1961. The suspension was honore?d in all states. Ironically, Patterson's manager, Cus D'Amato, associate.d with racketeers and had his manager's license revoked by the New York State Athletic Commission for alleged misconduct in connection with the Floyd Patterso?n–Ingemar Johansson title fight in June 1959.