Would a prime Sonny Liston KO the 1971 Ali who fought Frazier?

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No. Will not KO.

I think it might be a close decision, but I think Ali still beats him.

 

No , but a prime Sonny kos Frazier imo.

 

Nope. The '81 version of Ali, maybe .

 

Silly comment, the pre layoff version was clearly, by far the superior Ali.

 

No, he would still lose, albeit a much closer, tougher fight.

 

Ali would humble and embarrass him...again.

 

Alis legs wouldnt hold up. Hed be forced to stay on the ropes and slug it out. Liston would knock him out in about 12 rounds

 

What's with the "slow"? Prime Foreman ripping hooks on Ali and Liston pumping ferocious jabs were not slow! Frazier wasnt a speedy fighter, but he wasnt slow. Kevin McBride and Margarito now thats slow!

Its annoying to hear because Frazier was a small heavyweight he didnt punch quite as hard as a Liston or Foreman. For the most part maybe that's right, but despite physically not being a strong heavyweight he still had one of the best left hooks ever and because of his style he concentrated more on wearing his bigger opponents down. There was no way Liston would use the pressure Frazier did on Ali he'd punch himself out. Yea 71 Ali was slower but simply Liston wouldnt able to replicate what Frazier could especially the bobbying and weaving. Anyone that didnt show fear and wasnt intimidated by Liston was already a step closer to beating him. Listons style wasn't anything Ali hadnt already seen, but Frazier was a different story.

 

The Ali of 1971,or even the Ali up to 1975 (inclusive) would beat a prime Liston of 1960-62. He would still be too fast and cagey. Plus he would intimidate Sonny by standing up to his best shots and firing his own back.


Happy new year,Hydraulix.

 

ali looked so bad v bonavena before he faced frazier that this fight goes the distance and liston would ko joe. i can never see anyone ko'in ali but this version would get nailed by plenty of shots. you can't hide on the ropes v liston. his chin will be tested but he will find a way to get through like he always did. ali very close on points win. many forget that liston couldn't catch the quick fleet footed clay but he will catch up to the comeback version who couldn't keep the rate up. v quarry ali was lucky cuz of a cut that we never got the chance to see him tire badly after 5 rounds.

 

Nope.

I think the speed of Ali is always a major problem for Sonny and probably his single toughest attribute to solve out of any potential matches. I certainly think Liston can break down a lot of fighters with his set of tools.

I just don't think he can land enough on an Ali to slow him down to Sonny's speed and Liston's gastank becomes the one that drains first due to circling and chasing and missing. And if he does land clean shots, you are still left with the whiskers and competitive heart of Muhammad Ali. It just becomes too much.

Sonny never was the beneficiary of a great corner and I think he has to have a Blackburn or Futch type corner to ever win a match like this.

 

maybe Ali of 1971 was as good or better than teh 19 fight novice who was thrown in with liston in 1964

 

Yes.