What if Liston had had a foreman-like religious experience after his knockout in Lewiston, retired and became a preacher in Denver for 10 years then returned in 1975 at the age of 45 (if we are to believe his birthdate) to try for another run at the title. How does older, wiser, spiritually at peace Liston (with obv no more mob ties) do against the competition from say 75 to 78. I doubt anyone is picking him to beat 1975 Ali. Jimmy young or a rising Larry Holmes likewise are tough fights for him. But how about Duane bobbick or ken Norton or shavers?
Too many unknown variables. So many variables had to come together for Foreman's success at that age, and Liston was strong on so few of them in the real world. Obviously if he did somehow get it together, then there would have been a plane of weakness to exploit.
Sonny Liston was too strong for the likes of Sonny Moore in Phoenix, Arizona after that Lewiston, Maine atrocity.
