If Liston Had Defended Against Ernie Terrell, Instead Of Ali?

Another great thread from Fergy. I’d never think of these interesting scenarios. I think Liston has enough left to chop Terrel down in 8-10

 

Go watch Liston spar with Terrell on YouTube runs 9 min !!! Liston toyed with terell if you watch the sparring - not a good nite for Terrell if they fought

 

I think you had to be a great fighter to beat Sonny Liston. I think Terrell was a very good fighter. But he was not great.

Sonny Lost to a great fighter when he lost to the young Cassius. Even if Sonny was too rusty to win that particular fight, he had enough there to beat anyone else.

Liston was legitimately the best in the world at that time. You can’t take that away from him unless you are better.

 

Thanks for the compliment Rich! Though I have to say one thing. Regarding stamina, Liston went the distance multiple times whether it 10 or 12 rounds, in his younger years (and even sometimes in his later years) without any noticeable fatigue. For example against Machen, he was throwing more punches at the end of the fight than the beginning!

Terrell on the other hand, had also gone the distance many times before as you stated, but their were definitely deficincies in his stamina I noticed regarding the aforementioned Williams bout. Williams definitely finished the stronger and Terrell seemed to be tiring, and imo on the verge of another stoppage less had the bout been any longer.

He also iirc, died in the last couple rounds of the Spencer bout which cost him the fight.

 

Terrell scored more in that fight. He was never in much trouble. Williams was dangerous in bursts, and strong, but Terrell landed an awful lot more blows on Williams. That’s why Ernie won that fight.

 

I didn’t get the idea he toyed with him at all...but I haven’t seen it in awhile. Will watch again.

 

Of course, your only contribution in a Liston-Terrell thread is a shot at Williams.