Liston: (1958 & early 1959) Beats Whitehurst (2), Bethea, & Mike DeJohn Patterson: (1957 & 1958 Beats Jackson for title & defends against Rademacher & Harris Liston was definitely ready in early 1959 and should have gotten the shot Patterson gave Brian London. The fight would have been more competitive, maybe going 8 rounds before TKO'ing Floyd. Liston would have beat Patterson twice, then could have fought Williams, Besmanoff, Vades, Johanssen, Machen, Folley, London, etc. Patterson might have even gotten a 3rd shot. Then in 1964 Ali/Clay would have arrived on the scene. Liston's stature of Champion would run 5 years.
It could easily have been over in the first. Just like their real fights were. Liston was even better in 1959 than he was in '62.
