There were some at ringside who believed the fight was legitimate. Larry Merchant, who was a critic of Liston as a person throughout his career, wrote 50 years later, "I saw the actual punch land on the actual chin, as did others in my area of the press section. It was a quick right hand that caught Liston as he was coming forward ... According to ringside doctors I've spoken to, that is a classic example of a medulla-oblongata K.O." World Light Heavyweight Champion José Torres said, "It was a perfect punch." Jim Murray of the "Los Angeles Times" wrote that it was "no phantom punch." Tex Maule of "Sports Illustrated" wrote, "The blow had so much force it lifted Liston's left foot, upon which most of his weight was resting, well off the canvas."