Liston vs 1974 Ali.

Liston would be problem for a slightly older Ali. As mentioned the Liston jab would be more of a factor with Ali being more stationary. I don`t know that Ali would even try the rope a dope in this matchup as Sonny is more polished than Foreman.

I think it`s a tough fight that could go either way. Ali was able to adjust on the fly and change his game during a fight. If my $ was on the line I`d still put it on Ali because he had so much heart and stamina.

 

Liston on points. IN A VERY CLOSE HARD FIGHT.

 

The Ali of 74 was an ATG fighter. Ropeadope was born in the Foreman bout out of necessity. Fighting Liston who was not adept at all in cutting the ring would be far easier so perhaps no need to lay on the ropes. Ali would stick and move punching harder than the Ali of 64-64. Ali by 8th round stoppage.

 

Certainly was not. All he did in nearly seven rounds vs Ali is follow him around the ring. In contrast Ali found it hard to circle Foreman once before being cornered or trapped along the ropes.

 

I look at that second round right hand bomb Ali nearly decked Frazier with in their second bout, look at how he buckled Liston into the corner at the outset of round three in their first match, whip-lashed Sonny's head back with the KD punch in their Maine rematch, look at those lighting bolt right hands he repeatedly puffs up Foreman's face with in Kinshasa (leaning back on LOOSE ropes), then combine that with the fact Liston used his reach to box opponents at long range with his slowish pounding jab instead of cutting off the ring efficiently the way Foreman and Qawi could do, and I see no way Liston's best can be competitive with the monstrous punch resistance, speed and iron conditioning of 1974 Ali.

Sonny is not winning a jabbing contest at range. He just doesn't have the speed to compete that way. He wasn't any better at cutting off the ring than Louis was. Whitehurst exposed that twice. Shavers, Foreman and Frazier couldn't slow him down with their body work, and Muhammad's body was much tougher in 1974 than it was in 1964, especially after 15 rounds with Frazier in the FOTC.

Unless Ali stops Liston on cuts (and he did draw blood on Sonny in 1964, as did Leotis in 1969, something Liston did not react with determination to), I think this could be a pretty dull and lopsided decision for Muhammad. Whitehurst went the limit with Sonny twice, while Leotis outlasted him with movement. Both weighed under 200 pounds with a shorter reach. Ali was taller, had longer arms from end of collarbone to fist, and was much faster than either Bert or Leotis.

Muhammad would likely only dance or shuffle to play to the crowd in an otherwise dull fight, but for the most part, he'd stay flatfooted in center ring and just out-jab Sonny with his superior height, speed and jab length. I don't expect this to be a particularly difficult bout for him, as he wouldn't need to exert himself all that much. Nor do I think he'd necessarily go for the kill at any point. I think this would be a pretty lopsided decision win from the outset.

 

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I think Ali carried enough power to get Liston out of there at some point in the fight.

 

Ali was stronger in '74. Ali by stoppage.

 

This is the same Sonny Liston that doesn't know how to cut off the ring. Ali would still move around him freely. Also Ali's height would allow him to throw his jab over top of Liston's guard, and he would still be running in to combos.

Liston falls in eight to prove Ali is great!!!

 

Either you know how to cut the ring or you don't. All Liston did vs Ali is follow him around the ring. He would have done the same in 74. Foreman was the far more dangerous opponent.

 

Ali would be landed lots of hurtful punches, he stops him late IMO. Liston could withstand the same kind of punishment as Joe Frazier.