What exactly happened in Liston Ali 2

I've always felt that we're talking about this issue like it's black and white. It's probably a fair mix. I do believe that hit was a square punch. Sharp, fast, and well-timed.

However, I don't doubt for a second that Liston harbored fears about the Nation of Islam and Ali's crazy persona. As mentioned, Liston got himself ready for a fight before the hernia surgery. When that happened, he lost his "mojo". The ability to "want to kick Ali's ass" was gone in a flash. Seems like he was very situational at that moment. I've had that deflating feeling while doing some serious prep work on a project that fell through.

He reached the moment in which he didn't want to deal with Ali's garbage and came into the fight less then interested.

Add the complexities of the Walcott ref job and other outsiders, this goes from a short fight to a freakshow of Fan Man proportions.

 

YES! Joe Walcott was also caught with his pants down in that fight of '65.... Joe Walcott was capable of handling that fight, but I doubt Walcott was prepared or even thought Ali would drop Liston so quickly into round 1... Walcott was stunned by the flash knockdown of Liston and seemingly hesitated as to what was happening... All in all, the event was a mess / farce.... A real black eye on the sport.... Liston stunk that night...... As did referee Joe Walcott......

Note:

Walcott should've known anything could happen there up in Maine... Christ, Walcott himself decked Marciano in round 1 back in '52, but Marciano took that shot from Walcott a helluva lot better than what Liston dealt with from Ali.....

Walcott's solid hook to Marciano's jaw in '52 was way harder than the love tap Ali hit Liston with up in Maine.....

MR.BILL

 

Also, Marciano decked Walcott in the '53 rematch with a short uppercut in round 1, in which Walcott got up from, after taking his sweet ass time to rise, but Walcott got up at 10.......

That rematch sucked too..........

MR.BILL

 

It was a fraud....shades of WWF/WWE...