Prime Liston vs Prime Ali

Here were expert opinions on a tournament, where both men were the finalists.

Fight Advantages:

Hand Speed-Ali, Boxing Ability-Ali, KO Power-Liston, Chin-no advantage, Size-Liston, Defense-Ali, Endurance-Ali, Adaptability-Ali, Foot Speed-Ali, Strength-Liston, Jab-Liston, Cut resistance-No Advantage, Reach-Liston 84”, Ali 78”, Body Attack-Liston:

Total: 6-1-6 Draw


Jim Carney, Author and Boxing Expert:

When this same matchup came out as the final bout in my heavyweight tournament that was published several years ago in the Cleveland Tab, my colleague Mansfield Frazier expressed the thought that it was somewhat of a letdown having a final between two men who had fought already.

Perhaps he was right, Liston was out of shape, overconfident and past his prime. And the shoulder injury that caused him to quit in his corner was almost certainly genuine. The Liston of 1965 was definitely past his prime and whatever was going on, the referee should not have called it a kayo when Ali refused to go to a neutral corner.

The Liston of 1958-63 was a bruiser's bruiser. If the tournament contained only sluggers, I'd pick him as the second most likely (after JIm Jeffries) to come out on top. Sonny appeared to be courageous, indestructible and unstoppable in slugger-to-slugger confrontations. But his bouts with Eddie Machen and Bert Whitehurst along with Ali and frustration in sparring with the tall, awkward Ernie Terrell indicate that he could become frustrated.

But still, this time Ali is facing a prime and hungry Liston. Muhammad is staggered a number of times and perhaps floored once. Most of the rounds are competitive. But Ali stays a step or two ahead, wins most of them and takes a hard fought but decisive and definitely unanimous decision.

Moontan, boxing expert at Heavyweightaction.com

A very interesting matchup for the finals, it’s a rematch of their 1964 heavyweight title fight. Neither fighter was really challenged coming through the tournament which is also surprising. What would be different this time as compared to their first match-up between the two greats”. First off I think a younger Liston would have been a much better opponent for Ali this time around and Liston would not be the overwhelming favorite as in the first fight. I see Liston showing much more respect for Ali throughout the fighting and pacing himself much better and also he would be much more prepared both physically and mentally for this fight. Whether he would let Ali get inside his head in this fight like he did the first time remains to be seen. I see a truly a great fight with Ali hitting the canvas and Ali winning a very close decision because of his speed and athletic ability. Liston stays upright the entire fight but his face shows the ware of Ali’s punches.



Experts Predicted Outcome: Ali is the winner in the Finals 2-0

Jim Carney author Ali 15-D

Moontan, expert Ali 15-D

 

No fighter in history was unbeatable. Closest to it was probably Sugar Ray Robinson at Welter.

 

Sonny Liston had issues with movers, he went 12 rounds with Eddie Machen on Sept 7 1960, Muhammad Ali was much quicker than Machen. I might point out, in both fighters primes, title bouts were a Manly 15 rounds, not the Anemic 12 round variety.

 

But his resume is not that relevant to what we are discussing. The question is how likely is it that Ali KOs him, and the answer is that it's very unlikely. Ali was not a big puncher, and prime Liston was a beast. Like I said, I see Ali outpointing Liston due to his superior speed, but the match would be very close. Prime Ali didn't manage to KO Terrell and prime Liston was a whole lot tougher and better than Terrell. If Ali makes a mistake, he might even get KOd himself.

 

Fights should be 5 rounds max. The win should only be obtained by KO, so no winning on points, that will be eliminated.
And if neither fighter manages to get the KO, they don't get paid one cent. That way, you'd force boxers to trade.
And it would be a dream fight every single time.

 

Ali - Good fight but Muhammad prevails by clear UD or late TKO.

 

Boxing might also be outlawed. Or not many might want to box. Or we'd miss most of the greatest fighters.

Imagine boxing without Whitaker, Ali, Jones, Napoles and hundreds of others. Even guys like Hagler, Holmes, SRR, Monzon, Spinks and again, hundreds of others might fall by the wayside.

You're following the wrong sport.

 

Ali, again. With relative ease. Joe Louis beats both also with relative ease.

 

No way. Louis stands no chance against them.

 

Aslong as the Mafia isent holding Listons family hostage forcing Liston to take a dive then Liston would eventually find a home for a power shot ultimately knocking out Ali.
This would be one hell of a fight though

 

Thanks Rummy your videos are awesome!

 

I was thinking about that while reading this post. Liston's prime wasn't as a champion. More or less the same as Tyson after winning against Spinks became unmotivated. Liston worked hard on the camp for the rematch but when Ali had a hernia and the fight was postponed I think Liston lost all the desire and that's why we got that sham of a fight.
Still, Ali's prime was at 66, and Sonny's 58. If those 2 versions fought I'd take Ali. But 62 Ali v 58 Liston I would take Liston, Ali was still green, and was Clay

 

Liston surprisingly getting quite a few votes.

As a Liston fan, I'm sure not complaining.

 

I think absolute peak Liston would defeat post exile Ali. I'd have to favor Ali peak for peak but i wouldn't criticise anyone trying to convey Liston might have a chance. SH89 and Steward both feel that way among others.