I'd favor Bonavena in a 15 round fight. Far better stamina at this point, his chin had degraded, Liston was only a few years shy of being sparked out by Leotis Martin (A fighter Oscar beat, by the way) Sandwiched in-between in 67' was two close fights with Joe Frazier as well. Oscar ate as many flush hooks from Joe as anyone ever did, his chin was unbelievable. Certainly one of the best of the 60's/70's. Oscar wasn't much of a bleeder as far as I know, certainly no Wepner. I just think Liston's too far gone to beat Oscar at this time.
This would have been within months of Sonny's stoppage of ranked Henry Clark in which reports tell of a resurgent Liston who looked good in this win. This is a good matchup to me and Sonny was still strong enough to get in his jab and short hooks, some of which would shake Ringo on the way to a close but clear win.
I favor Liston based on his power and that Bonavena could be nailed......... Punch-4-punch, Liston hit harder than Frazier or Ali, so I can see Liston stopping Bonavena late.... MR.BILL
Bonavena had a higher work rate then Liston at this point.. And Liston probably didn't have the stamina he once had. So I can see Bonavena wearing Liston out to a desicion. And Liston probably didn't have the snap he had, either.
Liston looked fine to me in his comeback fights after the '65 fiasco with Ali in Maine.... He also was ripping Leo Martin pretty good until eating a wicked left-right combo in round 9 in 1969..... MR.BILL
I believe Martin never fought again, as well.......:bbb Liston must've landed some punches.?.?:huh MR.BILL
yeah, Liston was definetely ahead on points and beating Martin up, no doubt. but he was still gassed leading up to the knockdown.
A detached retina was the reason for Martin's retirement...I don't know if you can attribute that to Sonny's power or not..the retina..the eye for that matter is easily injured, like by an errant thumb.
Bonavena would have won this fight with his awkward, unrthymic style and mauling strength...and he could take it well too, as it's already been pointed out. I'd say Oscar wins a decision, and hurts Sonny a few times along the way. Liston was too far past it to win this fight.
I have thought about this one before. I am sure prime Liston would have defeated Ringo by late stoppage or clear decision. But in 1967, I believe that Bonavena would have been able to weather the early storm and either stop a fatigued Liston or decision him.
Sonny didn't give excuses of the loss to Martin but afterwards in apologizing to fans he said he had been ill with the flu going into the match. If so it could have effected how strong he was at the time of the ko.
