Jan. 11, 1965 - Muhammad Ali, doubtful that his return match with Sonny Liston will come off, has offered a heavyweight title fight to George Chuvalo if the Canadian beats Floyd Patterson.
A fight with Chuvalo “would make the biggest gate in fight history, $10 to $15 million,” the champion said today.
Chuvalo and Patterson meet Feb. 1 at Madison Square Garden. The World Boxing Association, which does not recognize Ali’s right to the title, intends to recognize the winner of the Ernie Terrell-Eddie Machen fight at Chicago next month as the champion.
Ali predicted that Chuvalo would beat Patterson and added: “I’m still committed to fight Liston, but Liston may be too old to fight when he gets out of jail.”
Liston is free on bail awaiting trial later this month on a drunken driving charge in Denver.
The Ali-Liston rematch is expected to be rescheduled later this year at Boston Garden.

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