In the late 50's, early 60's Johnson wanted to get a fight for the heavyweight crown (I think). What if Johnson had met Liston on the way to a shot at Patterson?
They used to spar I think I read and they might even had a fight scheduled but it fell apart..Harold's the better boxer .. But this would be prime time Liston with 35 pounds on Johnson .. Johnson moves and outpoints Liston for a some rounds but the inevitable will happen imo.. Liston KO
I think Harold...the Great Harold Johnson...was physically more cut out for the lightheavy division...and I would have wanted to see this matchup.
I would have hoped that...were it a possibility that these two were to clash, that Johnson would have made the same wise decision that his rival and 175 lb title successor Willie Pastrano made...that is to avoid a behemoth like Liston and to devote himself to the 175 lb division.
"They used to spar I think I read and they might even had a fight scheduled but it fell apart". I remember that too. Some of my research shows that the original Clay vs Liston fight I, was tentatively scheduled for September 1963, not February 1964. Johnson lost his title to Willie Pastrano in July 1963, and Liston beat Patterson in July 1963. Maybe a Liston defense against expected Lightheavy Champ Johnson in September '63 was on the table, with a Clay defense pushed back to February.
Johnson was scheduled to fight Liston in March 56,but injured his shoulder and Marty Marshall subbed, fighting Sonny for the third time.
Yep ,Johnson at his natural weight was a beast But facing Liston at His would have been a big mistake. Johnson would have tried his holy Best against Sonny but Liston to strong, to powerful. Liston tko by 6.
