First, i just have to praise Mr140 for his series of of well thought out posts.

It has been claimed that Liston was much older than his official age when he faught Ali.

Liston was a much better boxer than people give him credit for and people just tend to associate him with raw punching power.

If I compare liston to fighters like Frazier and Shavers, then I would argue a prime Liston would have given Ali pre prison one hell of a fight. Post prison, where Ali would sit back and take punishment, I think it would be very close because unlike Frazier, liston would use that ram-rod jab. I remember Bob Foster's jab causing Ali problems.

I'd still give the edge to Ali, due to his freakish physical strength. Ali isn't usually associated with being a big puncher. I can't remember him setting his feet and letting a punch go with 80%-90% or even 100% of his power. However, I think a prime Liston would have forced him to do it, just to keep him off him.

Anyway, I'm biased because Liston is my second favourite fighter ever.