Yeah, very. According to the data, Liston has a bigger reach than Wilder. However, it's important to consider that his large fists, long fingers, and broad chest might slightly inflate the measurement. Additionally, Liston is not particularly tall (6'0)
Sonny’s reach is up for debate, I’ve seen some claim he had an 80 inch reach and I’m pretty sure some TV take of the tapes from the period have him that
I can imagine Liston absorbing a stunner or two from Wilder if necessary but I can’t envisage Deontay taking too kindly to Liston’s power in return. Liston of course is the vastly more skilled and intelligent boxer also, with multiple speeds and applications to choose from as and when it best suits the situation. Liston KO/TKO 6 at the longest if not more brief.
While I don't think prime Wilder is nearly as bad as many here (pretend to) believe, Liston has all the advantages sans power. With that right hand though (which is gone now imo thanks to father time eroding those fast twitch fibers) Wilder's a puncher's chance against anyone.
Wilder would need a absolutely perfect kill shot before Liston got anything going... and I don't think there's a very good chance he gets it.
Yeah, it’s difficult to gage how much Wilder has lost on his right in absolute physical terms as opposed to him losing the conviction to throw it as he once did. Deontay has definitely become more leery in recent fights, particularly notable when he fought Big Bang. Just imo, he did stun Big Bang one or twice albeit ever so briefly - but Zhang also appears to have a decent beard in his own right.
Echoing this ... although once Sonny locks eyes with him before the fight they might have to sponge up the urine before they could fight.