Mike, I didn't know where to put your asked question. Yes, it was supposed to be co-promoted by Ingemar Johansson in Stockholm, Sweden. Set for April 26, 1969. Both fighters agreed to it, in late February. But Buster Mathis opted for a much more lucrative and thought-of easier fight versus Jerry Quarry in Madison Square Garden. Buster Mathis had just beaten George Chuvalo, rather easily in February.
I would have to say, in February 1969,,,,,,,,Buster Mathis had looked great against George Chuvalo, Buster was heavily favored over Jerry Quarry, and the winer was guaranteed a Title Fight with Joe Frazier. Though, in April 1969, Jerry Quarry wiped through Buster relatively easy. Mathis, in 1969, still had quick hands, and was durable. I'd take Sonny, but by decision over 12-Rounds.
The 1969 version of Sonny, maybe not. Shoulder problems with bursitis, and lack of right hand power. March 28, 1969,,,,,,,he was forced to go 10 Rounds with 195 lb. Billy Joiner. The left shoulder muscle was strained again. He'd probably use the power jab, to cruise to a win.
Ok...I can go with that...I just saw "Liston vs Mathis" when I came upon this thread and didn't read the qualifier...'69 Liston...I agree with the power jab thing..like he stopped Henry Clark with...Mathis may last to round 9 on a to loss. The '59 to '63 Liston takes him out far more brutally..in conclusive fashion like in 2 or 3 rounds.
RED C,,,, Prime Sonny Liston, probably destroys Buster Mathis in 5 Rounds. Buster, despite his big-size, could move on his feet pretty good. They did have several common opponents, besides Muhammad Ali. Amos Lincoln Sonny Moore Chuck Wepner Also, didn't realize, Buster fought '2' of Sonny Listons {1967/1968} sparring partners. Earl Averette Wayne Heath
Another one of the many bouts that Sonny Liston did not partake in. Also, Don Chargin wanted to make a Sonny Liston vs. Jose Luis Garcia bout at The Olympic in Los Angleles, for August 1970. Jose Luis Garcia had just Knocked-out Kenny Norton. Garcia was hot, and Sonny Liston had just demolished Chuck Wepner. Even Joe Bugner wanted Sonny Liston to come to the U.K., for a November/December 1970 bout. Everyone wanted Sonny Liston now. Mac Foster was after Sonny Liston since the fall of 1969.
Mathis was in decent shape (for him) during early 1969, and might have even replicated the 220 he carried in for Amos (nicknamed "Big Train" by Liston) Lincoln the previous year for Sonny. Liston did not have JQ's quickness and mobility, and Buster showed with Chuvalo that he could do 12 good rounds.
Spring 1969,,,,,,,,it's most likely Sonny Liston by Decision. The catch here,,,,,Sonny Liston wanted it for 10-Rounds, and Buster wanted it for 12-Rounds. The rumor-mill at the Ringside Gym in Las Vegas,,,,,Sonny was sucking-wind after 6-Rounds. Sonny Liston would only go 6-Rounds in sparring sessions, then would call it quits. Buster probably figured, he would need/gain 2 more rounds for a decision win.
Cosell noted that Sonny was huffing and puffing late in his win over Clark, so this was a reasonable conclusion. However, Liston went the ten round route in his March 1969 rematch with Joiner, and looked all right while stopping Scrap Iron in an atypically retreating performance (more physically demanding for him to be moving backwards, but he had the reach and straight punching to pull it off), so 12 rounds may not have been as great an advantage for Buster as he might have supposed.
He took everything Frazier had for ten rounds before finally succumbing to attrition. The quick fisted Quarry did floor him in round two, but failed to take him out. An aroused Buster went to war with Chuvalo successfully, and George was no powder puff puncher. Mathis himself had some power not to be sneezed at. While not quite as sturdy as the never floored Henry Clark, he was far more dangerous. (Early knockouts of his are available on youtube.) It was he who put Wepner on the deck before anybody else.
I respect Mathis as a high quality fighter, he probably lasts 4 or 5 rounds. I'm just unsure he would take Sonny's power like he took Frazier's.