Ali Liston II - why the long gap between the fights ??

Just reading boxrec.com and see that Ali beat Liston first time on 25th Feb 1964. His next fight was the rematch on 25th May 1965.

Till just now I never knew there was such a big gap between the fights and it seems a hell of a long lay off for a new champ.

Anyone any idea why there was such a long interlude ?

That's a huge lay off even by todays standards when fighters fight less frequently ???

There was alot of contraversy and a lot of problems getting both sides to get on the same page....Ali had done some promo tours and Liston supposedly had to recover for some time due to the shoulder after the first fight before negotiations even started so that was a delay in itself......

I may be mistaken on this but I beleive there was a rematch claus in the contract so Ali could not fight anyone else before he fouht Liston again....I could be wrong on that though but for some reason I remember something about that

Ali's connections with the Black Muslims didn't exactly help things, but eventually the rematch was scheduled for November 1964. However, just days before the fight Ali was rushed to hospital vomiting and with a distended stomach. He had to undergo an emergency op. for an acute hernia, and this together with his rehabilitation set the fight back six months.

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Originally Posted by KingAL

Ali's connections with the Black Muslims didn't exactly help things, but eventually the rematch was scheduled for November 1964. However, just days before the fight Ali was rushed to hospital vomiting and with a distended stomach. He had to undergo an emergency op. for an acute hernia, and this together with his rehabilitation set the fight back six months.

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CC I forgot all about the hernia.......So there was yet another reason for delay.....Added to all the other BS reasons that held it up

cheers for the info

reading it it does actually ring a distant bell in the back of my head

so given the fact he hadn't fought for 8 months prior to Liston I and the 15 months after that thats one fight in nearly two years ! :)

and Liston II wasn't exactly long was it ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KingAL

Ali's connections with the Black Muslims didn't exactly help things, but eventually the rematch was scheduled for November 1964. However, just days before the fight Ali was rushed to hospital vomiting and with a distended stomach. He had to undergo an emergency op. for an acute hernia, and this together with his rehabilitation set the fight back six months.

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yes. Apparently Liston had whipped himself into top shape and was very confident for the rematch and the delay fucked him up and took all the wind out of his sails, so to speak.

Yes I have heard that too, that Liston was in excellent condition for the re-match and some writer said he would have won, but I doubt he would have. He was not getting any younger.