Anyway, had there been no Muhammad Ali in 1964, Sonny Liston would have reigned on as champion until he ran into Martin and/or Joe Frazier sometime in 1969. I think Liston would have beaten Brian London, Karl Mildenberger, Oscar Bonavena, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Ellis, George Chuvalo in addition to Cleveland Willaims, Zora Folley and Eddie Machen whom he had earlier beaten convincingly.
Had there been no Muhammad Ali. Liston would have perceived as the best heavyweight fighter of the 1960s.
Very interesting question. People often judge Sonny Liston by the two Muhammad Ali fights, which is unfair. He is very underrated sadly, but one of the most intimidating fighters of all time and a fearsome puncher.
He would beat all of them by KO or TKO. George Chuvalo has a great chin, but would be stopped and bloodied up. Joe Frazier would be knocked out in two rounds, just like George Foreman did, because Liston was a much harder puncher in my opinion.
Liston is already regarded by many as a top 10 heavyweight, but he'd be ranked even higher by many if there was no Ali, and he beat all these fighters.
I believe that with no Ali, Liston would have been champion for many years. The only fighters to give him trouble would be Frazier 1969 and Foreman 1971. Also by that time Liston would have been past his prime. The challengers all named above, Liston would have beaten everyone. Yes Liston is very underrated. he had a ramrod jab and was mean and tough.
In my opinion, one of the greatest fights to never happen was Joe Frazier vs Sonny Liston. That clash would have been one of the most interesting display of styles make fights. Honestly I don't know who would have won that fight, but I think Sonny Liston would have beaten all other contenders. Sonny used to be George Foreman's sparring partner and Foreman would say he was tough as nails. Sonny definitely should go down in history as a champ, and it is a sad tale due to his involvement with the mob and having supposedly been killed by them too. An interesting myth about Sonny was that his jab was so powerful it could knock opponent out, which I can believe. Muhammad Ali was Liston's krypotnite, he couldn't catch him because he was too light on his feet and had some of the best reflexes in the game, and even if he could touch him, he had one of the best chins of all time. Liston is often portrayed as a villain, especially in recounting Ali's life, and it can be justified due to accusation of Liston cheating in his fight against Ali by putting some substance in his gloves and then rubbing the substance in Ali's eyes. Ali definitely could not see for some time and Liston sure took advantage of that instance. And when it came down to prove himself, Liston called the fight and quit on his stool. Sonny Liston had his demons, but fought all his life and it ended as a tragedy. But he was a champ once.
Joe Frazier's left hook, peek-a-boo style, and fearlessness could have stooped Sonny Liston.
George Foreman's right uppercut, giant build, extreme power, and ruthlessness could have stopped Sonny Liston.
Larry Holmes had a greater jab then Sonny Liston, a greater chin then Liston, and was also a better combination puncher so he could have stopped Sonny Liston.
Earnie Shavers unbelievable power and strength could have been to much for Sonny Liston to handle as well.
Liston was great but he was not a Legend like these men were.
Boxers and all sportsmen would be still earning a few dollars for a fight. Such was the charisma and power of THE GREAT MUHAMMAD ALI
He'd have reigned until about 1966.
The challengers went as follows;
Floyd Patterson 43-4-0 on 11/22/65 (no need to answer what might happen there)
George Chuvalo 34-11-2 on 3/29/66
Henry Cooper 33-11-1 on 5/21/66
Brian London 35-13-0 on 8/6/66
Karl Mildenburger 49-2-3 on 9/10/66
Cleveland Williams 65-5-1 on 11/14/66
Ernie Terrell 39-4-0 on 2/6/67
Zora Folley 74-7-4 on 3/22/67
Oscar Bonavena 31-3-0 on 12/2/67
Buster Mathis 23-0-0 on 3/4/68
Joe Frazier 19-0-0 on 3/4/68
Jerry Quarry 24-1-4 on 4/27/68
Manuel Ramos 20-6-2 on 6/24/68
Floyd Patterson 46-6-1 on 9/14/68 (again)
Dave Zyglewicz 28-1-0 on 4/22/69
Jimmy Ellis 27-5-0 on 2/16/70
Never fought again after this date.
Who would have beat him and when. In this crop of challengers, if he lost, could he have gotten the title back? Or when it was split in two, if his reign was longer, could he have gotten the other piece and tried for a unification? If there was no Muhammad Ali, where would he be percieved in the all time greastest heavyweights up to 1970?
