1967: Bonavena vrs. Liston

"Tobin Liston" was a known pseudonym of Sonny Liston.

Liston was at least 52 years old when he fought Ali. Many reliable estimates put him at 75 years old. He was effectively retired and came out of retirement to fight Ali at age 76. Frank Sinatra is on record as saying that Liston was 137 when he retired.

 

Liston late stoppage......He outboxes Ringo....

 

Liston by ugly, ugly one sided points win.

He dominates Ringo in every sense, and at range, when the jab is thudding home, he bounces baseball bats of Oscar's head.


Bonavena is tough and wily enough to last the distance with Liston, as Liston might be the most powerful, brutish fighter he'd have fought, but far from the fastest. He'd make it past the finish line. But he doesn't have the style, or the skills to avoid gettin bludgeoned for most of the fight.

 

Liston could punch and Bonavena could not get out of the way of punches.
Liston by early knock out.

Woller