The Neutral Corner

It was April 1967, and "Irish" Bobby Cassidy, this blog's patriarch, was fighting European champion Bo Hogberg in Stockholm, Sweden. The co-feature on the card was Sonny Liston, who knocked out Elmer Rush in the sixth round. The card was promoted by former heavyweight champ Ingemar Johansson, who died today at the age of 76.

In the wake of the news, I asked him to relay his thoughts on Sonny, Ingo and Stockholm:

"Despite what everyone said, Sonny Liston was the nicest guy in the world. He was a practical joker. He was funny. I think everyone was fooled by his glare. He came to my dressing room and he invited me up to his hotel room. He was just a nice guy, one of the nicest boxers I had ever met."

"Ingemar was a great host. He treated everyone well. He talked about Sonny Liston like he was a God. He never gave the impression that he was better than Sonny Liston. The place was packed when we fought. Every seat was taken. Ingemar was a great promoter, he made us feel right at home."

"I loved Stockholm. It was daylight until about 4 or 5 in the morning during the time I was there. It was a very socially progressive city in terms of everything. Everything was very relaxed. Which made it a lot of fun."

-- CASSIDY