He was the clear favorite going into the Ali fight and he just came off a career best win, utterly decimating Floyd Patterson in 1 round. Now, I can buy that he was undertrained for the Ali fight, but I don't know if he was past it.
This has been discussed in here ad infinitum. What have you gained out of all these discussions? You should be extremely well rehearsed by now. Was he?
Yeah he was old plus injured and probably threw the second fight hence why I don't rank it as a super high win for Ali
I somehow got the impression from various information that Liston's prime ended with his second win over Patterson. And I do not claim that this is an accurate and correct opinion.
Nope Ali beat a prime Liston and knocked him out showing his awesome punching power. Immediately after that fight Liston became shot and useless.
He had only recently started on the downside but his slide was hastened by drinking. overconfidence and lackadaisical training. He was still formidable but couldn't sustain a blistering attack for more than two rounds while the badly underestimated Clay was 22 and full of pep. Even though not in top shape, Liston probably would have beaten anyone else that night.
It's clear from watching the Patterson fights that Liston was on the decline - it took him an entire 4 seconds longer to decimate Patterson the 2nd time.
He just wasn't hungry for the sport anymore, which happens to even young fighters. Liston on his road to the title was highly motivated to succeed and was willing to pay any price to be champion, but once he achieved his goal that original hunger that made him successful died.
Sonny aged 10-20 years after the second Patterson fight according to some, lol. Funny thing is, many of those people who argue Sonny was already one foot into the retirement home also talk glowingly about Floyd … who twice lost (in less than two total rounds) to this old man. So if Sonny was so degraded, why didn’t Patterson show better against him?
that's exactly how I see it. The fight with Clay was a year after Patterson 2 and Liston rested on his laurels and spent nights at the Casino and Clay in the training room perfecting his skills. Despite this, the first fight was not one-sided, Sonny couldn't do anything to Clay, but Clay didn't tame Sonny either, scoring few hits and constantly fighting backwards. The second fight was a travesty.
He was past it to beat a young Ali ... he had fought less than two rounds in three years ... he was living s a champion and was a drinker .. he was overconfident and arrogant. In addition many, myself included, believe he was at least thirty five for the fight ... yes he was still a dangerous, tough guy as would still beat many fighters but this stylistic matchup was a bad one for anyone with old , inactive legs.
