How was Liston viewed in his prime?

I think had, their been a 15th round Frazier would've knocked him out or at least have won the round. As swollen as his eyes were, Ali had nothing left.

 

I know that President Kennedy was opposed to Sonny Liston fighting then champion Floyd Patterson because of alleged ties to the underworld, Remember that the President's brother Robert F, Kennedy was Attorney General, who had several mobsters deported.

 

Because it was known Sonny had been in prison, There was quite an effort made to show Sonny was a now reformed character. It went way beyond anything you would read about in the last 30 years or so. It mattered more then that a prominent fighter was quite wholesome. So there was always Quite some concern about who was managing him. If he had or hadn’t finally rid himself of unsavoury figures within his management ..as if he even had a choice. Then whist Sonny was a leading contender there was a spell where Sonny was dropped from all the rankings altogether over an arrest of some kind. might have been to do with impersonating a policeman, I will have to check, and the whole thing started up again. He was no longer associated with criminals, he was living with a priest again. He was learning to read, He was still a deserving contender who needed to be reinstated. That sort of thing.

 

it is a known fact, that some fighters, lose to build up the gate in a re-match. It happens quite often, over the years.

 

I know that Charles Sonny Liston was viewed as a bone breaking hoodlum that was employed by the underworld. In the ring he was a bully that many did not want to tangle with. A lot of fighters back then avoided Liston at all costs, except for the few brave. His cold stoic stare at ring center was very intimidating, and was a stark reminder of the violence that was soon to follow. He was like being in a violent nightmare that you were trying vainly to wake up from. He was respected and idolized by later extremely violent fighters, namely a young George Foreman and Mike Tyson.

 

I’m sure there were easier opponents to fight than Sonny Liston, and no doubt, some were pretty reluctant in the ring once the bell rang, but Sonny landed a lot of the right fights. All the right fights at the right time really.

I don’t think he had a problem getting fights upon his release from prison in 58. He fought Dejohn, Besmanof, Valdes, in short order. Bert Whitehurst , Howard King and Big Cat Williams he fought twice each. He was very busy. 17 fights in 2 years.

Then after the fringe guys the leading contenders Harris, Folley and machen were practically lined up for him in that order.

Things might have stalled whilst the rematch clause tied up the title..but Sonny had no problem getting fights. There wasn’t anyone left.

Even early on in his career guys were always willing to meet Liston more than once. Marshall and Summerlin were but they were pretty good fighters.