Sonny Liston vs Oscar Bonavena 1969/1970

I've always felt Liston depleted his gas tank trying to finish off Martin after the KD.

 

Absolutely. He was getting flat footed in the 8th and he went swinging in the 9th.
Had he let Martin have those last rounds he would have still won a decision.

 

Well it’d be interesting, I believe bullish youth prevails here. Oscar would just be too strong for Sonny at this time. Leotis kited Liston around till he was tired, OB would come straight at him and I think the pressure would drain him much more then the chase, he’d get hurt badly, Martin I don’t think was as good as Bonavena.

 

Yep Liston by this time, it's not gonna be a great fight for him.
Oscar could actually get himself a ko win even over this Liston.

 

After the second fight vs Ali, I think the longest fight Liston engaged in was his rematch against Billy Joiner - Liston wining by UD after 10 rounds.

Of the fights I’ve seen of post title Liston where Sonny was taken into, say, the 5th, 6th or 7th round, Liston was beginning to visibly tire in his own right - even in fights he ultimately won (eg Johnson and Clark) or was winning before fatigue began to seriously set in.

If we’re talking a 12 rounder, if Liston can’t KO or sufficiently bust up Ringo for a stoppage by about round 9 at the very latest, Oscar could conceivably claw his way back and possibly even stop a severely wilting Liston.

PS - vs Martin, Liston was already beginning to fatigue after round 4, and the bloody nose, with the blood running into his mouth, impairing his breathing, only served to compound his stamina issues.

 

I think Liston had enough left to eke out a dec with his jab.But,if he shoots his wad trying to stop Ringo he may get stopped late.

 

I'm betting Liston in a 10-round fight. If it has to be 12, I take Bonavena. Sonny can't go 12 anymore against a fighter like Oscar. Liston doesn't relish this matchup but he can't be choosy.

 

Lock up your daughters…especially if they’ve chosen a career in prostitution.

 

Oscar was as strong as an ox and nearly as smart.