Would if Sonny Liston had beaten Leotis Martin in Dec 1969?

Good question Richard.
If as you ask he's given a title shot, well surely we have to give him a punchers chance against Ellis.
But if Jimmy gets past the middle round, then liston slows down and Ellis gets a win.
Frazier??
I know people say that liston - Foreman duplicate, but not at this point for Sonny. Joe.. Possibly having to climb up off the canvas, stop s him in 6 painful rounds.

 

Sonny had Leotis all but out and couldn't finish him, Liston wasn't exactly dedicated at this point and was drinking and such. I'd pick a young Liston to stop Joe, but this version gets taken out

 

He would´ve fought Joe Frazier. But he was past his prime and lacked the ugliness that made him a slaughter some years before. He fought for money, knowing he would never be appriciated and liked the way his idol, Joe Louis was. He was mentally a broken man, a heavy drinker and had no love for the game.
Frazier was a tank moving forward all the time. I think Liston would´ve gone for another payday and just succumbed under pressure before the 5th round. Maybe even sitting in the corner claiming some injulry.

 

I am doubtful listing would’ve received the title shot. It seemed then he just carry too much baggage. Find it interesting that he was not even included in the 8 man elimination tournament. I recently re-watched him against Henry Clark and he was not impressive.

 

I contemplated this same question a number of years ago and I think he certainly would have been placed back into contention. The real question is, would anyone have made a title shot happen for him ? Sonny has more or less been black balled for some of his shady dealings but not sure how relevant that was anymore by 1970