Great match up Irene, thanks! In the early 70's Smoking Joe Frazier was my favorite fighter being the first man to defeat Ali in the Fight of the Century and sending him to the canvas with taht meat cleaver left hook of his. And it would have been very hard to beat Frazier at this stage of his career as he was relentless and fearless. Sonny Liston other than his fights with Ali might have been the meanest and baddest fighter of them all with his meancing scowl before clubbinhg his opponents into unconsciousness. He simply pulverized Floyd Patterson who had no chance whatsoever against the powerful Liston. Sonny also had a very powerful and effective jab and was a very underrated boxer and could cut his opponents to pieces with that very jab. As tehy so often say in boxing, styles make fights and Frazier's come straight ahead style may very well play right into Sonny's hands much like it did against Foreman who was a lot like Lison style and power wise. If Frazier could get this fight past 10 rounds, his chances are good but somehow or another I cannot see this happening. I believe Frazier would land some good left hooks but Liston would endure them and punish Frazier with that powerful jab and land some brutal shots of his own. Frazier would ever quit and I doubt he would get counted out but he would probably have to get up a few times before the referee mercifully halts the fight.

Liston WTKO9

Liston at the end of his career was still a force and fought a guy by the name of GEorge "Scrap iron" Johnson. Every punch Sonny through he couldn't help but hit the 5'9" Scrap iron. Jabs, uppercuts, hooks and big right hands. These were meant to hurt and hurt he did. Over and over again Johnson took all these shots to the forehead and jaw. Sonny ws having fun.finally, the referee had seen enough damage and stepped in and stopped it. Now the Liston of 62 would have been that much stronger and Frazier was known for taking punishment. Bonevena knocked him down , Quarry stuck with him, Foreman bounced him all over the ring.IMO, Joe being a slow starter would have had avery difficult time overcoming a bigger, stronger and harder hitter. Remember Liston carried bombs in both hands, while Joe relied on his left hook mostly. In all realistic thought Liston by the 4th round.

Wow this could be a battle for the ages. I would go with Liston on this. His jab would be the equalizer. His jab was hard and accurate and i believe it would keep the left hooking Frazier off balance throughout. Liston was very underrated and was a better and more feared opponent than before he became champion. Sonny Liston by middle round stoppage over a game but overmatched Joe Frazier.

I think Joe Frazier's heart would be the death of him. He would win some rounds and whatnot but in the end, Joe's will to win might cost him a K.O.

The Sonny Liston that destroyed Floyd Patterson on Sept 26,1962, in one round, to win the World Heavyweight Title vs Smokin Joe Frazier, who beat up Jimmy Ellis, on Feb 16,1970 in five rounds to win the World Heavyweight Title that was taken from Muhammad Ali, in 1967. Who would win that fight and why?