Sonny Liston claimed that this fight against Elmer Rush was for the vacant title that was stripped from Muhammad Ali in April 1967.
Sonny Liston appeared not to get over his two losses to Muhammad Ali. He was well forgotten in the heavyweight picture, fighting ham and eggers. So Sonny told the press that the fight against Elmer Rush was for Ali's vacated title, little did he know the WBA was already planning to seek a replacement.