opinions please!
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I don't think he took a dive. He got hit by a punch he didn't see coming while he was moving in. Ali knocked Williams down backing up so it wasn't unheard of with Ali. Ali was getting strong at this point in time which is a shame since he only had a short while after before he went into exile and then...eh...diminished overall ability...although fights were certainly more interesting when he came back.
Liston looks like his equilibrium was thrown off after the punch landed. I've always thought if it was fixed he would have just stayed down like he was dead instead of rolling around trying to catch his balance to get up.
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"I think Sonny gave that second fight away [to Muhammad Ali]. I swear. He said, 'No, you win and you lose.' I said, 'In the first round?' " says Liston's widow Geraldine on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series.
Last edited by Benny Leonard; 10-10-2009, 11:41 PM.Comment
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Good vid!.. Very clearly showing the punch, from a much different angle to the fight I have on tape..
The punch doesn't appear to have KO power, but it does appear to connect on the side of Listons temple.. I know from experience, those kind of shots can switch you off momentaraly, but that's all, so I'm of the opinion that he quit on his back, as opposed to getting KTFO..Comment
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i have watched the fight many many times and i always come to the same conclusion that if the `FIX`was in, then it had nothing to do with Muhammad Ali, yet i cannot say the same for referee Jersey Joe Walcott who`s actions leave a lot to be desired... i dont think we will ever know what really happenedComment
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yes... Walcott walks across the ring to the timekeeper very hesitantly then comes back over and picks up the count on Liston even tho he has been on the floor for around 12 seconds, he does not tell Ali who is standing over Liston shouting `Get up` to go to a neutral corner, he waves the fighters on then stops the fight.. i cannot recall any referee ever doing what Walcott done, IMO if Liston took a dive Walcott was in on itOriginally posted by Benny Leonard View PostComment
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Or maybe it was an inexperienced ref in Walcott?Originally posted by sonnyboyx2 View Post
Ali was jumping around and Walcott was trying to control the crazy man first.
When Liston finally got up, Walcott whipped his gloves to let him fight again but stopped the fight when someone yelled out that Liston was down more than 10 seconds...or something like that.Last edited by Benny Leonard; 10-11-2009, 03:37 AM.Comment
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I think it was a dive.
The main reason I think that is Listons actions on the floor. He tried to get back up and then 'rolled' back over. It looked so forced it was unreal.
There is no way Sonny Liston was hurt by that punch IMO.
4 mins into the vid.Last edited by Mersey; 10-11-2009, 03:36 AM.Comment
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But Why would he bother to fake it like that. Do what the rest did...lie down and play dead.Originally posted by Merseyside View Post
Liston was drunk at that point and was trying to regain his balance. Everything is slow and moving on him so he is trying to focus in regaining his equilibrium. And then he did get back up...so why even try to get up?
Even when he was falling down, he stuck out his arms to break his fall or try to keep his balance to stay up.
At least that is what I think.
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