The early or late fight can reveal stylistic flaws. For example, Meehan's movement and quick hands gave Dempsey fits. Midway through his career, a healthy Miske gave the Mauler some problems. Years later Tunney won 19 of 20 rounds and easily outclassed Dempsey. On Liston's early fights, I think he might have lacked some confidence, as his record reads more like a boxer than a guy who committed to using his natural advantages and punching power. I tend to agree that Liston wins if he moves Dempsey backward.
Listen (or read, if you will), young fella... Don't let McGrain's commentary on your very obvious penchant for a wee dram (or more), every time you log on here, shame you out of enjoying a pastime every bit as enjoyable (nae, more enjoyable) as posting on a boxing forum.
Hard to say because we will never know the facts about the first Liston fight. Did Sonny quit because he was told to or did he just loose heart and give the title away sitting on his stool? Did he have that little heart, or was the just following the script?
Liston worked behind a jab and he would have had no trouble keeping Dempsey bay and following up with uppercuts and hooks. Dempsey was raw and did´nt have the schooling to do well among modern area fighters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ppdluPvCww
Do we need to do a Liston v Firpo thread? Does that match-up illuminate the difference in skill and ability here? Nevermind, some would still pick Firpo over Liston....
Dempsey by relatively easy ko here. Liston would be one of those big tough slow guys, with limited heart by the way, that Dempsey destroyed, Liston has his heart taken by a better gutsier fighter . Thanks
Dempsey for my money is better due to his reflexes. But Liston is not much, if any, worse, and he is a lot bigger. Liston by ko
before fighting Ali, liston didn't look slow and Dempsey wasn't quicker than liston and wasn't technically better either. That pole with a bag of cement on the end that was listons jab would control the fight which i doubt would even be competitive.
As far as any intimidation factor if anybody were to be intimidated that would be Liston. If Liston isn't confident of a win and against one of the fiercest fighters ever he may fold thaks
I pick Dempsey in this matchup. Liston was, indeed, a force of nature and an atg, but so was Dempsey. Jack was much more mobile and Liston would be too slow for the Manassa Mauler. Jack by KO.
