Sonny Liston vs. Buster Mathis - for the Vacant Heavyweight Title March 1968

I really like this post, Buster Mathis Sr for a rather large guy was pretty quick, but his biggest weakness is pressure from his opposition, remember what Joe Frazier did to him in their actual title bout on March 4 1968, Mathis kept crying out to the referee, Make Him Step Back. Sonny Liston was destroyed egotistically by Muhammad Ali in both fights, Liston resorted to mediocre opposition following those fights for a quick payday. Liston at this point is way past his fighting peak, he indulged in Alcohol, the funny white stuff and instead of the gym, it was other wild women for the Bear, he cheated on Geraldine. Buster moves well against Sonny, throwing out that left jab, throwing snappy counters as Liston begins to fade as exhaustion creeps in. The ending resembles the ill fated bout against Leotis Martin in Dec 1969, the fight ends in round 9, with Liston sprawled out on his stomach being counted out. Mathis has ring activity on his side in this one.

 

In ‘68? I’d lean towards Mathis

 

If Liston gets himself in condition he beats Mathis, probably badly.

 

LOL that harpooned whale Mathis gets bounced off the canvas like a ball.

Liston early knockout

 

WHEN he wins

 

Not sure how much Liston had left by that point. Sure he was still dangerous but he wasn’t the same guy who beat Floyd Patterson years earlier nor even close. At the same time Mathis wasn’t all that good of a fighter. Hard call

 

still good enough to knock 12 out of 14 people out in his comeback including two top 10 ranked contenders.

If you want to compare common opponents, Amos Lincoln took buster Mathis to a split decision in 1968. Two months later, liston destroyed Lincoln in 2 rounds

Liston looked good on film in late 60s. Older and slower but very powerful. He still packed a punch and had a great left jab. Dangerous fight for anyone including Frazier and yank Durham knew it

 

I’ll have to change my opinion on this match up after reading this.

Liston most likely takes it

 

Steve Compton provided good evidence liston was not out looking to fight the major young contenders in the division in the late 60s but I don’t include buster mathis in that group

 

Cus did not protect Buster very well against Smoking Joe Frazier on March 4 1968. Lol.