Was Ali/Liston 2 fixed??

[Bad Intentions]

Just watched it for the 1st time, It looked so fake, I mean it was a good punch but Liston looked as if he was acting like he was hurt when he fell back over after tryin to get up, Any one know if it was fixed?

[Abhorsen]

even if it was (which i dont think) Ali would have won anyways

[The Troll]

Sonny Liston is the worst actor in the history of boxing.

[Bad Intentions]

even if it was (which i dont think) Ali would have won anyways

i agree but it looked fake

[+= El Jefe=+]

even if it was (which i dont think) Ali would have won anyways

murder would be more of a description

[NiGe2011]

even if it was (which i dont think) Ali would have won anyways

There always needs to be that jerk who takes issue with something the boxing community would generally accept-- so it may as well be me! I am of the opinion that maybe if Liston does not take a dive in Lewiston, Maine, then he would have had a very good shot of claiming his title again. Liston was a great, GREAT, heavyweight. He was the bad boy before Iron Mike was even a twinkle in somebody's eye. And he had the type of natural skill that most only dream about. The fact is that in that first fight with Ali there is not question that the Liston camp underestimated the fighter then known as Cassius Clay, the whole boxing world did. Not only that, but during that time it was essentially the peak of Liston's out of ring legal difficulties. There could not have been a more distracted or underprepared Liston that fought Clay that night. Add to that the fact that there is a theory that Liston injured himself in that fight, thus explaining why he was hesitant to throw that devestating right hand, and you have a rematch that would have been a really close fight (if Sonny had not decided to hit the deck of course). For all of you who think that this is just ****** to say (and there probably alot of you), or those who might be inclined to agree (if there are any such people), you should check out the book "The Devil and Sonny Liston"-- because no matter your opinion in is an interesting read. In any event, to answer the question of the thread-- there is NO DOUBT that Sonny took a dive!

[Pico Hollywood]

I remember reading that Liston supposedly had Mob Ties and threw the fight for money.. Even Ali had an interview saying he knew Liston could've gotten up from the punch he threw

[Bombardier]

I think Liston was a spent force, and once he was down no longer had the will to fight. Just think about the way Tyson toppled over willingly in the fight against McBride and you'll see the same sort of thing.

As well as the mob, the Nation of Islam was intimidating Liston into losing the fight because Ali was their man of the hour at the time. People sometimes forget that they were quite an intimidating bunch at the time. Malcolm X broke away with them and then a few months later he was dead. You know, you didn't mess with those guys. I'm not sure if they convinced Liston exactly to take a dive, but they may have helped to wear him down the the point where the didn't see any point in continuing.

[spinksjinx]

I dont think it was fixed from the beginning but Liston always had said Ali was a crazy man and was looking for an escape the first opportunity he had gotten. Liston was already beaten before he got into the ring.

[Bombardier]

If you guys want another good book on the subject check out "King of the World" by David Remnick. It's basically a story about Ali going up to Liston II but you also get good profiles both of Floyd Patterson and Sonny Liston and discussion of the fights they fought as well. He also talks at length about the conspiracy theories surrounding the second Liston fight.

Especially towards the end he kisses Ali's ass way too much, but overall it gives you a great picture of the heavyweight scene in the early to mid-60s.