Let's look who was ranked at the time who he hadn't beat Doug Jones - a skilled smaller man, gave Clay a decent tussle. Probably too small for Liston Terrell - stand out contender of the next few seasons. Beat Machen, Folley, Williams Jones, Chuvalo and Bob Foster. The thing is Williams did stop him earlier in his career so Liston may fancy doing the same. He looks the best bet from the '64 ranked opponents Patterson - I have to list him because he's one of the top HWs in the world. Can a more mature Floyd beat a past it Liston? Unlikely Mildenberger - European Champ, gave Ali a few problems. Beat Machen, later lost to Cooper. Was he good enough, I doubt it. Chuvalo - a real tough guy but obviously limited Thad Spencer - beat Terrell after Ali but would pick up several subsequent losses Moving onto '66 Joe Frazier - when is he viable enough of a contender to dethrone Liston and can Liston simply do a Foreman on Joe? Because Frazier is there to be hit and Liston's offense is comparable to Foreman. So a 1966 Frazier who got knocked down by Bonavena twice could well get taken out Probably by 68/69 Liston simply doesn't have the gas in the tank to KO Frazier Bonavena - a good tough left hooker - how does he match up? Moving into '67/68 Quarry - Quarry maybe a better bet than Frazier himself. Quarry did very well against bigger slower punchers like Shavers, Lyle and Mac Foster. You'd probably pick him to outwork and outbox a slowing down past prime Liston Ellis - more of a boxer mover but beat Quarry, Bonavena and Leotis Martin who would go onto KO Liston. But he was later decimated by Shavers in a round. Can he do it? Thoughts?
Joe Frazier. Liston did not fight like Foreman, he used the jab more, Liston was more a boxer-puncher , Foreman pushed back Joe and it is why he could not work inside. The difference of size with Liston is much less, in Fact prime vs prime sometimes Liston and Frazier weighed the same. Frazier in his prime could avoid a jab pretty well with his move of head. Quarry is other guy with good chance
I know he quit twice against Ali (well the second fight was probably Walcott's referee error) but aside from that he was very consistent against fringe opponents he fought after. He eventually lost to Martin in '69 but ended that man's career as he suffered a detached retina at the hands of Liston.
He would have fought Chuvalo next if he'd beat Ali. I think that is a distance fight and George drops the decision of course but lands a lot of body shots. The kind that show up in the next fight--especially for an old heavyweight. So I think that guy beats Sonny---Terrell. Or another Ali bout---Dundee would have had him fighting frequently and he'd be getting the scalps. 5 or 6 wins and he's right back in title contention. Those reflexes are not good for an older sonny Liston
This is an alternate history where Ali doesn't exist for whatever reason I tend to think Terrell might not be able to keep Liston off him but maybe I'm wrong.
I agree with Mr.Charlietf. I see Frazier doing the deed. As the above poster noted though Liston possibly was just as strong as Foreman(According to Foreman from sparring) He didn't fight with the physicality Foreman fought with. The pulling/pushing maneuvering opponents into position the way Foreman did wasn't the way Liston fought. Liston was the typical boxer-puncher, fought behind his slow but powerful jab, power in both hands, average foot speed. If prime Frazier can slip the jabs of much faster fighters like Mathis, Ellis, Foster, and Ali, he wouldn't have to much of an issue with Liston slower but much more powerful jab. Liston did have excellent power in each fist with uppercuts and if he he timed Frazier and caught him in one of his dips It could be a short night for him. But I see Frazier outworking Liston, landing at a higher rate to the body and head, wearing him down,avoiding Liston's exceptional arsenal for the most part winning a dec, or late stoppage. But Liston could catch Frazier and blast him out of their.... Fight is a fifty - fifty fight that probably comes down to who's having the best night.
Frazier has a good chance considering Liston wasn't getting any younger. Close fight but Joe probably takes it late round stoppage
A very good conlusion. To be honest: All of them are unlikely to beat a prime Liston. It's all about how long Liston can keep this Level. In my opinion he will defend the Titel 6-10 Times untill his physically decline. Probably 66-68.
Maybe Quarry if it's an older less motivated Liston. Perhaps Terrel could spoil him as well. Id still have Liston the favorite. Frazier was too green and it's already an uphill battle for the infighting Frazier even in his prime. Without Ali its a safe bet Liston would only lose to old age/lack of motivation. The crop of fighters in the late 60's did not possess the combination of skill/toughness+athleticism to survive and convincingly beat a peak Liston. If he is still active in the mid to late 70's he undoubtedly picks up a few losses. The talent pool was much bigger and Liston would be in his late 30's.
