Expert Opinions on Prime Liston VS Ali

Fight Advantages:

Hand Speed-Ali, Boxing Ability-Ali, KO Power-Liston, Chin-no advantage, Size-Liston, Defense-Ali, Endurance-Ali, Adaptability-Ali, Foot Speed-Ali, Strength-Liston, Jab-Liston, Cuts-No Advantage, Reach-Liston 84”, Ali 78”, Body Attack-Liston:

Total: 6-1-6 Draw


Jim Carney, Author and Boxing Expert:

When this same matchup came out as the final bout in my heavyweight tournament that was published several years ago in the Cleveland Tab, my colleague Mansfield Frazier expressed the thought that it was somewhat of a letdown having a final between two men who had fought already.

Perhaps he was right, Liston was out of shape, overconfident and past his prime. And the shoulder injury that caused him to quit in his corner was almost certainly genuine. The Liston of 1965 was definitely past his prime and whatever was going on, the referee should not have called it a kayo when Ali refused to go to a neutral corner.

The Liston of 1958-63 was a bruiser's bruiser. If the tournament contained only sluggers, I'd pick him as the second most likely (after JIm Jeffries) to come out on top. Sonny appeared to be courageous, indestructible and unstoppable in slugger-to-slugger confrontations. But his bouts with Eddie Machen and Bert Whitehurst along with Ali and frustration in sparring with the tall, awkward Ernie Terrell indicate that he could become frustrated.

But still, this time Ali is facing a prime and hungry Liston. Muhammad is staggered a number of times and perhaps floored once. Most of the rounds are competitive. But Ali stays a step or two ahead, wins most of them and takes a hard fought but decisive and definitely unanimous decision.

Moontan, boxing expert at Heavyweightaction.com

A very interesting matchup for the finals, it’s a rematch of their 1964 heavyweight title fight. Neither fighter was really challenged coming through the tournament which is also surprising. What would be different this time as compared to their first match-up between the two greats”. First off I think a younger Liston would have been a much better opponent for Ali this time around and Liston would not be the overwhelming favorite as in the first fight. I see Liston showing much more respect for Ali throughout the fighting and pacing himself much better and also he would be much more prepared both physically and mentally for this fight. Whether he would let Ali get inside his head in this fight like he did the first time remains to be seen. I see a truly a great fight with Ali hitting the canvas and Ali winning a very close decision because of his speed and athletic ability. Liston stays upright the entire fight but his face shows the ware of Ali’s punches.



Experts Predicted Outcome: Ali is the winner in the Finals 2-0

Jim Carney author Ali 15-D

Moontan, expert Ali 15-D

 

Agreed. Even in '60 he was showing signs of decline (mind you still a very good fighter).

 

Ali was 2 years away from his prime. Liston was perhaps 5.

 

Liston had been ducked for so long that he'd actually passed his prime by the time he met Patterson! Their is absolutely NOTHING to suggest he was prime for either Ali fight.