do you think ali vs liston 1 was a close fight before the stoppage?

Nope not at all, and Sonny Liston certainly didn't think the fight was either or it wouldn't have ended like that.

Barney Felix 57-57 (Even) Bernie Lovett 56-58 (Liston) Gus Jacobson 58-56 (Clay) Liston done well when he blinded Clay with some subtance his corner put on his gloves, but still couldn't put away a blind Clay. It would be hard to find more than two rounds to give to Liston.

ali won every round except for the 5th and we all know the reason for that

59 - 55 Clay Ali had an amazing ability to step up his game to a new level when he was under pressure. In the Liston fight, he was getting better every round, with the exception of the round when he was half-blinded. Ali would've worn down a frustrated Liston and got the decision if it hadn't been stopped. In the second fight, his timing and accuracy were almost beyond reality. I think dead-on sniper shots like that phantom punch can be more lethal than most power punches.

No, the fight wasn't close. Liston landed some decent shots here and there but no way was he winning the fight nor was it close to being even. He definitely won Round 5. Couple early rounds you could perhaps argue were slightly close. And yeah they are the official judges scores. Robbery was obviously on the cards, either that or they were like everyone else and in utter disbelief at what was happening in front of their eyes. didnt liston supposedly have mob ties??? that would explain the wonky scores in an otherwise onesided fight. He certainly did. And yeah that's probably a solid explanation. Then again, the mob didn't need to intervene before hand and you can bet your last Dollar that they weren't expecting to need help from the Judges in this fight. I haven't seen this fight in a long time, but the way you have it, Dan, is the way I remember it. The first thing that came to mind when I saw those scores (which I'd never seen before) was "mob intervention." Liston was known for his mob ties and it's even been speculated that those very associates were responsible for his untimely death.

It wasn't close but it wasn't exactly a complete white wash like most people make out, Liston had some moments.

didnt liston supposedly have mob ties??? that would explain the wonky scores in an otherwise onesided fight. He certainly did. And yeah that's probably a solid explanation. Then again, the mob didn't need to intervene before hand and you can bet your last Dollar that they weren't expecting to need help from the Judges in this fight.

He definitely won Round 5. Couple early rounds you could perhaps argue were slightly close. And yeah they are the official judges scores. Robbery was obviously on the cards, either that or they were like everyone else and in utter disbelief at what was happening in front of their eyes. didnt liston supposedly have mob ties??? that would explain the wonky scores in an otherwise onesided fight.

Are those the judges' scores? No way it was that close. Maybe Liston won a round, two if you give him too much credit. He definitely won Round 5. Couple early rounds you could perhaps argue were slightly close. And yeah they are the official judges scores. Robbery was obviously on the cards, either that or they were like everyone else and in utter disbelief at what was happening in front of their eyes.

Are those the judges' scores? No way it was that close. Maybe Liston won a round, two if you give him too much credit.

No, the fight wasn't close. Liston landed some decent shots here and there but no way was he winning the fight nor was it close to being even.