In the absence of Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) how long would Sonny Liston have been champ?

1968 when he loses to Joe. 2 great fighters

 

That's what I was thinking also, Liston would've be champ for about 7yrs, around 68' he'd face a young, fresh Frazier, he would give Frazier some early concern, but eventually as the fight goes on, Frazier would began to find the range and start out working Liston stopping him around 10-11 rds on his stool.

 

Forever

 

IDK
Sonny was a great fighter but I'm thinking he would have been upset by someone well before that. He was already older and not training as hard as he had on his way up.
That first fight with Clay/Ali Liston was in 3 round shape. For a heavyweight title fight. He threw his big shots and was out of steam after that.
I think if someone had been able to get this version of Sonny Liston into deep water they could have upset him. Eventually it would have happened. Maybe a Terrell or a Quarry.

 

Sonny Liston would lose his title to Joe Frazier, on March 4 1968, in Madison Square Garden. There would be no Buster Mathis fight that night, as Liston was the defending champion, fight is stopped in round 11. But on the night of Feb 25 1964, Sonny out wrestles and out boxes Ernie Terrell over 15 rounds, in Miami Beach, Florida, to retain his title, he won from Floyd Patterson, on Sept 26 1962.

 

Sonny was on the downside when he lost to Ali so I don't see a long reign but I'm not sure who beats him. I don't see Frazier beating him either.

 

I think Liston like most champs would get bored and let his guard down. Especially with all his problems. Once they get the crown and money they get a lot less hungry. Only exceptions that come to mind are Ali and Louis in that regard

 

Ali faded due to age primarily but I suppose in his older years he did skip
Training for women on occasions. But he didn’t drink or use drugs. Liston was already older when he won the title. He was known to have many problems outside the ring.

 

Liston came into Miami Beach at 218lbs.

 

I suspect he comes unstuck sooner rather than later.

He was not taking his training seriously any more, and that only ends one way!

 

His challenger in place of Ali would likely have been Terrell or Williams.

 

On occasion? I'd rather say that he trained instead of messing around with women on occasion. He rarely prepared properly for fights in the 70's. Norton 2, Frazier 2, Foreman and Spinks 2, but those were about the only ones. FOTC is a documented case where he didn't prepare properly.