If Jimmy Ellis defended his title against Sonny Liston in Dec 68?
Posted: 08 Oct 2022, 21:49
This match would feature Jimmy Ellis at his peak fresh off a Floyd Patterson defeat in Sep 68. Before his long layoff prior to fighting Joe Frazier and losing. Jimmy Ellis age 28
This match would feature Sonny Liston aged but well tuned up fresh off a Roger Rischer KO exactly 10 fights into his comeback. What Sonny Liston's real age would be I do not know.
I have Jimmy Ellis ahead of Cleveland Williams & all of Liston's best defeats. I understand Liston was avoided often so it's hard for me to criticize his competion level but i find it slightly suspect. So in this match Ellis is unable to duck him & forced into a champion defense of the crown in his prime.
Can Liston beat what i would say would be his best victory? In my simulation fight's Liston is ahead of Ellis but that is prime Liston.
I wondering if anyone thinks Liston could win this with all his ring skills & fairly well tuned up in his post-prime version vs a heavyweight Champion in his prime who isn't a bomber like Frazier or Foreman.
Ellis beat Bonavena, Quarry & patterson before this fight and later Chuvalo.
Honestly that seems better to me than Machen, Folley & Cleveland Williams & Patterson.
I think this fight would be razor thin based on a Simulation of a prime Ellis vs a post-prime Liston. Very Close.
Things would of sure been interesting If Liston was able to win this and gave a younger Frazier a title shot with Liston as Champion in an alternate universe in beginning of 1969 a year before he fought Jimmy Ellis.
A quick recap of Liston's only comeback loss:
Sonny Liston certainly didn't appear washed up in his loss to Leotis Martin. He was suffering from a severe Nose injury causing him very difficult breathing his trainer called it a freak injury after the fight. Liston was ahead on the scorcards and even sent Leotis Martin to the canvas in round 4. Liston could of had stamina problem possibly or it was a direct result of his nose causing him very difficult breathing but he was to exhausted to rise and doesn't appear as if he wanted too. as he positioned his head to get more comfortable. These comments are only provided to attest to the fact he wasn't as washed up as some many speculate and this was in fact a full year after this fight would be taking place giving Liston a bit more youth.
This match would feature Sonny Liston aged but well tuned up fresh off a Roger Rischer KO exactly 10 fights into his comeback. What Sonny Liston's real age would be I do not know.
I have Jimmy Ellis ahead of Cleveland Williams & all of Liston's best defeats. I understand Liston was avoided often so it's hard for me to criticize his competion level but i find it slightly suspect. So in this match Ellis is unable to duck him & forced into a champion defense of the crown in his prime.
Can Liston beat what i would say would be his best victory? In my simulation fight's Liston is ahead of Ellis but that is prime Liston.
I wondering if anyone thinks Liston could win this with all his ring skills & fairly well tuned up in his post-prime version vs a heavyweight Champion in his prime who isn't a bomber like Frazier or Foreman.
Ellis beat Bonavena, Quarry & patterson before this fight and later Chuvalo.
Honestly that seems better to me than Machen, Folley & Cleveland Williams & Patterson.
I think this fight would be razor thin based on a Simulation of a prime Ellis vs a post-prime Liston. Very Close.
Things would of sure been interesting If Liston was able to win this and gave a younger Frazier a title shot with Liston as Champion in an alternate universe in beginning of 1969 a year before he fought Jimmy Ellis.
A quick recap of Liston's only comeback loss:
Sonny Liston certainly didn't appear washed up in his loss to Leotis Martin. He was suffering from a severe Nose injury causing him very difficult breathing his trainer called it a freak injury after the fight. Liston was ahead on the scorcards and even sent Leotis Martin to the canvas in round 4. Liston could of had stamina problem possibly or it was a direct result of his nose causing him very difficult breathing but he was to exhausted to rise and doesn't appear as if he wanted too. as he positioned his head to get more comfortable. These comments are only provided to attest to the fact he wasn't as washed up as some many speculate and this was in fact a full year after this fight would be taking place giving Liston a bit more youth.