Liston got about 25-30 pounds on Rocky. He won't get bullied by Marciano, Sonny wasn't a weak 215 pounder in any sense of the word. Shovey shove should be easy for Liston. If he pushes on Marciano's shoulders and the ref doesn't warn/penalize Liston early for it then it's good night for Rocky.
Does going the distance in a fight to lose a split decision whilst boxing with a broken jaw count? How about coming on to win by ko after having your nose broken in the first round,does that count?
Marciano displayed his heart and courage several times in fact in most of his big fights, he needed to! If Sonny Liston could pick an opponent with a style that would suit him,he would pick a slowish, short, light swarmer who had defensive gaps.
Absolutely. Tyson was bulked up, fully hydrated 1980s heavyweight at 216lb. Therefore, on the night, Tyson at 216lb is (and 90% of ATG heavyweights are) identical to a modern fully hydrated cruiserweight.
I definitely favour him over Vitali and Bowe. Assuming he puts a stone of muscle on that is. He'd struggle against Wlad though, not sure he has the hand speed to get of before the clinch and would likely struggle ever getting past the jab. One punch away from beating Wlad at any point but Wlad has a perfect style against those smaller and slower than him.
Wlad has an effective blueprint that is only really possible because of the era he developed in. This is why pound for pound that style of fighter is irrelevant in ATG terms because without size they dont stand out. This is the era of the superheavyweight. Where the artificial weight and functional excess weight (which on a BMI chart would make normal people obese) just was not possible in the past. It has benefited the giant in particular since the extra weight to make them functional at elite level with old methods just made them get too tired and slow. I would prefer that sized species of over and above 230 hydrated pounds were classified among their own modern ilk and not against classic sized heavyweights. The two cannot exist together. If Wlad made the ratings in the 1950s Rocky knocks him out. Put Rocky in the ratings now he would have to change ...as would 99% of ATG heavyweights. And that is NOT because they are better now.