WHAT IF...Sonny - vs - Ingo

WHAT IF...Sonny - vs - Ingo



Champion Ingemar Johansson vs Sonny Liston was a fight that very well
could have happened. After Ingo shocked Floyd Patterson to win the title in
1959, he was the " man ". At this time Sonny was just beginning to establish
himself as a heavyweight to be reckoned with. By the time Floyd and Ingo met
again in June of 1960, Sonny had defeated Nino Valdez and Cleveland Williams
twice. One month after Patterson - Johansson II Sonny stopped the clever
Zora Folley. Then two months later he outscored the classy Eddie Machen.
There was little doubt that Sonny Liston would have to be dealt with.

Think about this...What if Ingemar would have won his 1960 bout with
Patterson ? There would have been no need for a 1961 rubber match with
Floyd. Enter Sonny...He would have been the most logical contender. So how
would a match between Johansson and Liston panned out in June of 1961 ?

ROUND 1 ; They both come out jabbing. Ingemar is pawing with his,
using it as a range finder for his " Thunder Of Thor " right hand. Sonny is
putting more behind his jab and they are snapping Johansson's head back.
They are finally on the inside and Ingo is holding his own. After the
referee breaks them the two again are in a jabbing contest. Finally
Johansson lets the right hand fly over Sonny's extended jab and it connects.
It actually sends Sonny back a step. Ingo moves in but he is met by a solid
jab and a thudding right to the body. They wrestle around on the inside at
the bell.

Liston's jab won a close round for him but Ingemar landed the first
damaging punch.

ROUND 2 ; Sonny is really pumping the jab and has Johansson on the
defensive. Ingemar is trying to get under the jab but on the inside Sonny is
landing heavy, looping body shots that hurt. Ingo is game and he is trying
to launch his vaunted right hand. Sonny's jab is keeping Ingemar of balance
and unable to get the full power behind the right. Ingo's nose is bleeding
and he has several large red welts on his midsection.

Liston controlled the round and is now up two rounds to none.

ROUND 3 ; Sonny is sticking to his game plan and the jab is doing a
lot of damage. Ingemar keeps trying but he is telegraphing the right hand
and Sonny is paying attention. Finally Ingo gets one in and Sonny again
stumbles back a few steps. The crowd is on their fight. As Johansson moves
in Sonny lands a monster left hook to Ingo's jaw that sends him to his
knees. The courageous Johansson is up at eight but Sonny shuffles right
after him. Ingemar lets a desperate right fly and it catches Sonny on the
top of head and stops Sonny's attack for the moment. Liston shoots in a few
jabs as the round comes to a close.

With the knockdown Sonny gets a 10-8 round.

ROUND 4 ; Ingemar comes out winging but does not land any effective
shots. Sonny remains calm and starts planting that jab again. Ingo is
starting to become weary and Liston starts doing more work on the inside.
Johansson tries to tie Sonny up but Liston will have none of it. Sonny works
Ingo to the ropes and he is just raking him with body blows. Finally a
tremendous uppercut to the jaw sends Ingo sprawling to the canvas. Johansson
shows true grit as he is up at nine. The referee hesitates a moment and then
waves the two fighters together. Liston walks back in and is literally
throwing bombs. Ingo is trying to survive but each shot lands with a telling
effect. A left hook slams into Johansson's jaw and he sags to the canvas
just as the referee has grabbed Liston from behind to hold him back.

It's over...The bout has been stopped at the 1:58 second mark of round
four...The winner and new champion of the world ; Sonny Liston !

Ingemar is helped up by his corner men and led back to his corner. He
appears to be OK. A good sportsman, Sonny comes over to check on Ingo and
they shake hands. As Sonny is being interviewed he praises Johansson's
courage. He also said that Ingemar was the hardest puncher he ever met
including Cleveland Williams. Sonny even admitted that he was stunned a few
times.

Johansson when interviewed seemed disappointed in losing his title. He
said he could not believe Sonny absorbed his best shots and kept coming. He
also said that Liston hurts you every time he lands a punch no matter where
it lands. he predicted a long reign for Sonny and expressed no interest in a
rematch.