Prime Sonny Liston vs 1970's Muhammad Ali

Ali probably still had enough left in 74 to beat Liston, but it's gonna be a real war, unlike their real fight where Ali could dance around him like a matador, Jungle Ali didn't have the speed or the stamina to pull off a gameplan like that. He's gonna have to bite down on the mouthpiece and really fight Liston.

Ali's granite chin and indomitable will sees him through.

 

70's Ali should beat "prime" Liston of 1958 who had been inactive for two years and had only 15 pro fights.

From around 1960 and onward, when he had actually had gained some proper top level pro experience, I think Liston would be a tough night for any 1970's version of Ali. An in shape Ali of the early 70's should beat him, though.

 

I'd take a prime Liston to beat Ali in the seventies

 

No. And if he did, it's doubtful he would keep him there. But I don't think he'd be able to run from Liston as the '64 version did. I also think the rope-a-dope would be suicide against a prime Liston. Liston via UD.

 

The difference in willpower is the difference maker for me. I don't see a guy who takes dives and quits because of a sore shoulder holding up in a war like the Thrilla in Manilla. Ali is just too much stronger mentally.

 

When he was in his mid to late 30s, he may or may not have taken a dive in the 2nd fight. In the first fight, he went into the bout with a recorded shoulder injury, and had a severe enough injury to incapitate his ability to defend himself as attested to by 8 doctors. His willpower wasn't lacking when The Big Cat took the fight to him, forced him to give ground, and broke his nose. Nor when Nino Valdez shut his eye. Their was also the time he went the better part of an 8th rounder with a broken jaw, and still fought valiantly to an SD.

 

Under these circumstances I see a tougher fight for Ali, but I think Liston gasses late and Ali stops him.

 

I don't think Liston could have decked Ali either. But yeah, even the FOTC Ali (which was still a mighty, VERY formidable Ali) would have had problems galore with prime Liston, and I have to agree with swag on the UD, though I would be surprised if there was more than a three point spread on any of the three scorecards.

I'm not sure Liston would beat Ali quite as convincingly as Joe, though the verdict would be generally accepted by fans, commentators, and critics alike.

Liston was just too good prime to lose imo.

 

Yeah it'd be a close but clear decision imo. That's only if we're talking '59-60 Liston. The one who showed up for their actual fights loses every time.

 

I think that the 1958 version of Sonny Liston loses to let's say the 1974 edition of Muhammad Ali. Remember Liston's inactivity of two full years as Sonny was readmitted to the residency of the Correctional facility, following his crime of placing a police officer upside down in a dumpster located in an alley in 1957.Ali however would not be as nimble on his feet or have the speed and reflexes that he had in 1964 against Liston in their actual title match. But this Ali would have gained the experience to use the limited gifts he possessed to outsmart this version of Sonny. Ali would have lulled Liston into pursuing him to the ropes, much the way that Ali had George Foreman follow him to the ropes. Sonny would see Ali as an easy target, Sonny would blast away, only to punch himself out. Ali would also land enough solid right hands to stun Liston. Ali does manage to take out an exhausted Sonny Liston in round 9, Sonny exhausted, would have to be rescued by the referee.

 

Any version of Ali up to 75 beats any version of Liston ever. Ali's hand speed would simply be too much for Sonny. When he held his feet, Muhamad was a spiteful puncher too.
Any time Liston tries to punch, Ali beats him to the shot, whether moving or stationary.
It's about levels and Liston was never at the same level as Ali.