I've seen arguments both ways. In the movie "Ali" where Muhammad Ali had editorial control, nothing was getting in it Muhammad didn't want in it there's a scene where Liston asks his corner to put something on his gloves. OTOH I remember reading Ali and Angie believed the blinding wasn't intentional.
According to writer Jerry Izenberg he had a contact in Liston's corner. I believe Joe Polino. (Not 100% on his name) he told Izenberg a detailed story about the incident and how he threw the bottle under the ring.
