How would Liston have done against Marciano's title opposition ?

A prime Liston would probably finish his career unbeaten. He'd have problems with JJ Walcott and Ezzard Charles. They'd be his toughest fights.

 

A prime Liston, this is probably true. Had Liston had this career played out over a matter of years, the drugs would probably get the best of him and maybe a fix or 2, depending how you view the second Ali fight. Probably loses twice, maybe 3 times.

 

The Ezzard Charles of the first fight might well have beat any version of Sonny Liston.

 

Yup. Charles gives him hell, and so does Walcott. They had lots of speed, skill, footwork, defense, and enough pop that you had to respect them. And I actually think LaStarza and Moore have a shot to take Liston into the late rounds too. Moore was a masterful tricky boxer with good timing, underrated pop, and subtle defensive skills, especially his head movement, although he did not move as much, which might possibly have been his undoing. LaStarza had the footwork and speed to take Liston into the late rounds because he had enough defense to avoid getting hit too often, and he had a solid chin. Remember, he was 53-3 going into the Marciano title fight and had never before been stopped, including his first fight with Marciano.

 

Liston would have easily manhandled them.

 

Liston deserves the edge on most of Marcianos guys but sonny would do very well to beat first time around versions of Charles and Walcott. Both were more "live" than anything Liston beat in real life. The Archie Moore that marciano beat was on a huge roll and something of a giant killer. around that time Ol' archie Knocked out embrell Davison before Davison knocked out Marshal who would beat Liston.
So I say Liston should match Rockys results most of the time.There are 4 opponents better than anything iston did beat. Moore might kick his ass and charles and walcott would be a tall order.

 

Liston would NEVER in accomplish what Rock did.... People love to make Liston into more than he was thanks to their revision on what he COULD'VE been instead of what he ACTUALLY was. He was a frontrunner and a bully.. Eventually they always get exposed sooner or later... This would be true if he fought Rocky's opposition.

 

KO'd everyone of them. Marciano's competition was awful. Walcott Charles and Louis were washed up.

 

Right... and Liston was a world beater right who never lost.. oo wait.. he did and badly at that.

 

Adleast he fought live competition. Not only that but Liston would have also pulverized Rocky too.

 

On paper he's a favorite against most ATGs, let alone Marciano's opposition. But he would've found a way to lose just as he had in his own career. Liston had a troubled circumstance but I think he would have found himself a controversial and troubled figure due to his inability to deal with problems and external forces either way. Eventually the alcohol and lack of training would find its way in and someone would find a way to upset him. It's not guaranteed that he doesn't slip up and find a loss prior to becoming champion.

 

If there's one thing Liston doesn't do in life its go through things pretty cleanly.

Many fighters can be expected to carry on going through most opponents as favorites. That's where boxing is the theater of the unexpected. Many don't last careers going undefeated. While Marciano benefited in some way with time. You could argue the same for many champions. It takes monk like commitment to withstand such consistency... and the right mindset to be able to actually walk away. It's difficult to have one of those qualities, let alone both. I do think some fighters could have probably replicated Marciano's run, particular champions that came after him. However, Liston is not one of them.

 

Charles, Moore and Walcott would all have a chance I think of beating Liston and there is a good chance one of them would. All three could bang had heart and could take hard shots and probably had close to A+ skills. Maybe they were a little old when they fought Marciano, but looked to be still on their games plenty.