Could Jack Dempsey Knock Out Sonny Liston?

[RockysSplitNose]

I think the searing blazing handspeed and power would be the thing which would rattle Sonny Liston - big Sonny could really take a heavy shot - but the 22 year old skinny Clay rattled and shook Liston - it looked to me like it was the speed of the shots caught him a little unawares - if Dempsey could lash him with some lightning fast blazing counters a la the combo that put Willard down for the first time ever (and broke his jaw) then he could have Liston's eye's popping out and backing up very quickly - great fighter Liston but he could be and was rattled and KO'd by much lesser fighters and hitters than Dempsey so Dempsey no doubt about could do the same - I don't really imagine there isn't anyone Dempsey couldn't KO if he timed his shots right like he did against Willard (who himself had one of the greatest chins in history IMO)

[mcvey]

Originally Posted by burt bienstock

The question should be restated to "could sonny Liston knock out Jack Dempsey " ?
And the logical answer should be "of course'. But would that have happened, I say NO !
Most posters visualize Jack Dempsey from film of him against Gene Tunney, when Jack
did not fight for over THREE YEARS,without a tune-up bout. And he no longer had mgr
Jack Kearns,his close brother JUST committed suicide,and Dempsey was 32 years old,
and a shell of his former self,who possessed panther-like speed.
Just watch with open eyes, his two punch kayo of Firpo in the second round, so fast that
the camera shows a BLURR, and Firpo drops like a fallen log. That was the Dempsey of his
prime,who was considered the greatest fighter from 1900-50 in a poll taken in 1950.
One other thing Dempsey though about 190-93,was from the waist up as big as a 210-15
pound heavyweight, with inordinate strength for his size. Dempsey with his great two handed power,combined with middleweight speed and reflexis,along with a toughness
moulded from his hobo days,made him a scary opponent for any heavyweight who ever lived,of that I'm convinced...

Dempsey was light in the legs ,but had the same biceps as Liston , he was a man killer no question.
As to his strength ? Anyone doubting it should view him picking a prostrate Firpo up off the canvas.

[junior-soprano]

Originally Posted by Hank

Liston was more hype than anything else, Dempsey would tear him up. Marty Marshall, a light heavy, broke Liston' s jaw in one fight, (win over liston) floored him in another. (loss to Liston)

a hype ?? not on this board but by the common man sonny is one of the most under estimated HW champs ever. he should have gotten a title shot much earlier and wasn't it for ali he would have been champ for a few more years no other contender up untill the late sixties would have beaten sonny.
i agree that dempsey had the power to ko sonny.
but not likely i think. 8 out of 10 times sonny beats dempsey

[ticar]

sonny liston would wipe the floor with jack dempsey.

[KO KIDD]

Could he knock out Liston? OF COURSE HE IS ONE OF THE HARDER HITTING HEAVYWEIGHTS OF ALL TIME

[ticar]

Originally Posted by KO KIDD

Could he knock out Liston? OF COURSE HE IS ONE OF THE HARDER HITTING HEAVYWEIGHTS OF ALL TIME

imo cleve wiliiams was a harder hitter than dempsey,and sonny didin't even buckle on his left hooks..

[RockyJim]

Could Dempsey KO Liston?....if Ali could in 1965 up in Maine...

[burt bienstock]

Originally Posted by ticar

imo cleve wiliiams was a harder hitter than dempsey,and sonny didin't even buckle on his left hooks..

T, Cleveland Williams was a "shot" fighter when he fought Clay[Ali]. He had a bullet in him that couldn't be removed. Williams was a shell of himself by then...

[burt bienstock]

T, Cleveland Williams was a "shot" fighter when he fought Clay [Ali]. He had a bullet in him
that couldn't be removed. Williams was a shell of himself by then,,,

[mcvey]

Originally Posted by burt bienstock

T, Cleveland Williams was a "shot" fighter when he fought Clay [Ali]. He had a bullet in him
that couldn't be removed. Williams was a shell of himself by then,,,

Burt ,by definition you would have to have a bullet in you, to qualify as having been " shot".




Only joking, we all know what you mean.

[chancery]

Jack dempsy was tougher than most and had REAL skill and could break BONES with his fists. the guy hit harder than most. Dempsy could knock anybody out, but could be outboxed. so yes Dempsey COULD knock out listion, especially if the fight lasts longer than 2 rounds. liston better finish it quick. dempsey KOed willard, who had a 70 pound weight advantage.

[burt bienstock]

Originally Posted by mcvey

Burt ,by definition you would have to have a bullet in you, to qualify as having been " shot".




Only joking, we all know what you mean.

mc, I work alone...

[dpw417]

I would have to pick Liston...But could Dempsey do it???...Sure could.