THE FOUR WHO BAFFLED LISTON OMINOUS IN THE BACKGROUND, SONNY LISTON GLOWERS DOWN ON A QUARTET OF FIGHTERS WHO, WHEN THEY MET HIM, WERE NOT INTIMIDATED IN THE LEAST. HERE, FROM THE LEFT, ARE MARTY MARSHALL, BURT WHITEHURST, EDDIE MACHEN AND JIM MCCARTER. THEY TELL HOW THEY STOOD UP TO THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AND HOW HE CAN BE BEATEN https://vault.si.com/vault/1964/02/10/the-four-who-baffled-liston
Yes, but in the last few years he had only fought a few rounds. And like I already said, he underestimated Ali and didn't prepare.
100%. Ali had the fear factor going in which everybody would have against Liston. He raised his game, helped by extraordinarily reflexes for a man of his size and gave a coming of age performance against a dangerous ageing champion who was really only conditioned for a few or so rounds.
I first watched this way back in the early 90’s when NBC actually ran it. I was all set with my VCR and then saw that the local station was running something else. Fortunately, they ran it after the 11pm news! My first exposure to Ali came from late 70’s fights aired on ESPN Super Bouts. I’d watched some of Ali vs Spinks as a child. All I really knew was a backpedaling Ali just moving in a circle. To see a young version & how he moved was awesome! Must’ve been amazing to see at the time.
He had a verified shoulder injury going into the bout, and was suffering from bursitis separately. He attempted to get a postponement from the Miami boxing commission but was denied.
WEPNER WAS NOT A TOP TEN CONTENDER WHEN HE FOUGHT LISTON. I don't know why you continue trying to make Wepner out to be ""one of the top heavyweights of that era" Regarding his age the 1950 census put his birth year at 1922/1923 which would make him 42 or 43 when he fought Ali. Doctor's estimated his age to be 38-41. Source: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98505474/the-philadelphia-inquirer/
I just rewatched the fight and looked at the judges scorecard so I can see this "domination" myself. Judges had the fight split right down the middle, with 58-56, 56-58, and 57-57. I also had the fight even at the time of the stoppage. I guess Ali was lying when he said Liston hurt him numerous times and had him out on his feet?
