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

[D4thincarnation]

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.

[The Gambler1981]

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