Ingo was offered $1000,000 to fight Liston, it never happened.Sonny ko's the Swede as soon as he can get to him, 4/5 rds.
The only case you can really make for Johnansson is a puncher's case, and your belief in it will tend to be defined by either personal agenda or a genuine concern about Liston's chin based upon a belief that Ali legitimately knocked him out.
I think this one was just done. Ingo has the feet to stay away for a while, might even rattle Liston once or twice, but Liston closes the show between 5-8.
Leotis Martin basically KO'd Liston with a single right cross. I know he owned him with a 1-2 prior to the inital KO blow but if Martin could do that, then Johannson likely ends his life with right cross. Ingo's Bingo is a much harder punch than Martin's right cross. there's a chance Liston intimidates him and stops him but there's also a chance Johnanson could stop him.
I guess you think Tyson Fury has a good chance of taking out Mike Tyson given that Danny Williams did the job?
Sonny deserves to be Favorite ...with hindsight. But ingo has a real punchers chance. after 1961 it's a big win for Sonny but before that I make it quite even. Ingo was not afraid of Sonny. He told SI that he was not too impressed with Sonny on film. He said something like Sonny wasn't as fast as he looked. He thought Sonny looked easy to hit with a right hand. That his speed depended on coming forward and that a jab would disturb him. Ingo had an irritating jab and we know about his right hand. The interesting thing was ingo predicted that not landing first would tire Sonny out and this was before anyone saw Liston versus Ali. Even though Liston looked pretty darn tireless against Machen. Ingo felt Because film showed Sonny had always backed up the other guy they got tired quicker. He said something like "If you could do it to him it would be the other way around". Now I know it's a lot easier said than done, a lot of fighters have been wrong before and after 1962 I dont think Ingo was half the man he was in 1959. But ingo says intresting stuff. Even so, Nothing a punch on the chin could not erase that's for sure. Both at their best? It could just be who lands first.
I see this as the best fight for Liston, and would have been a career definer. I see Liston winning by Ko late, or on points. But Ingo has the style and ability to really trouble Liston. Ingos Bingo would find its mark, and this would be Liston's fight to prove his championship mettle. Ingo was respectful but not fearful, and at his best was no pushover for anyone. Had this fight happened and Liston had won, his stock would have improved. Ingo has a chance for the upset.... But, Listons should win it...... I think this would have been a great match-up.