Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston
Which boxer? Pick one and see how the world splits.
- Muhammad Ali United States · 1942–2016 74% · #1 in the world
- Sonny Liston United States · 1932–1970 26% · #34 in the world
What the votes say
A clear win: the world picks Muhammad Ali over Sonny Liston, 74% to 26%. Muhammad Ali is #1 of the 110 boxers in the world ranking and Sonny Liston #34; among the 59 from the United States, they are #1 and #26.
The case for each
Muhammad Ali: Then still Cassius Clay, he took Liston's title in Miami Beach in February 1964 when Liston stayed on his stool after six rounds, and won the 1965 rematch in Lewiston, Maine, with a first-round 'phantom punch' knockout.
Sonny Liston: The feared heavyweight who won the title by knocking out Floyd Patterson in one round in 1962 and was the heavy favourite against the young challenger in 1964.
Side by side
| Muhammad Ali | Sonny Liston | |
|---|---|---|
| World rank | #1 | #34 |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Born | 1942 | 1932 |