Whether you think the Liston- Clay/Ali fights were rigged or legit, I think we'll all agree that was not a prime Liston. Neither was it a prime Ali- he had a couple of years to go. How would a 1959-1960 Liston have fared against a prime Ali? Prime Ali could be the 1967 version or the Ali who beat Foreman. Opinions vary. Take your choice. I would pick Liston, but I might be wrong. I wouldn't bet on it either way.
Well a Prime Liston quit on his stool in a losing effort to a pre-prime Ali so i'd say he loses even more convincingly to a prime Ali.
The Scenario Sonny Liston (1959/1960 version) vs. Cassius Clay (1966/1967 version) A 'brutal' clubbing brute {vs.} a 'swift' moving stylist with lightning quick hands. I don't think Sonny would have caught Cassius to land anything hard, but his left jab may have been the 'neutralizing agent'. Very close 15-Round Decision, = 145-144 {6-5-4 in Rounds} for Sonny Liston.
after 2 destructions of patterson everyone said liston was prime when he fought clay. ali's speed and movement was always too much for liston.
Based on the fact that he was 37 years old according to some sources, maybe? However, I've seen Cleveland Williams vs Liston I, and he didn't look impressive at all. So even if I'm not a big fan of Clay/Ali, I still think he would beat a prime version of Sonny.
And according to some sources he was 31. According to the census he was 34 and he was certainly in the form of his life. I think would beat a prime Liston mainly because he did beat a prime Liston.
Sonny had the jab...the power...the pre-fight glare...but he wasn't mentally tough...Ali gets in his head...and stays there...if you're not mentally tough...then throw the jab...power...etc...out the window...
I haven't spent much time studying Liston and his history, but he looked older than 31 years old. However, I find it hard to believe he was still prime in '64/'65, even if he was just 31 or 34 years old, just like I find it hard to believe those fights were 'clean'. But, like I said, I still think Clay/Ali would beat probably every version of Liston.
It's much more probable he was 34 than any other age. The Census is the best source we have. I find it hard to believe he was anything other than prime considering his form going into the fight.
