Yep I said it. Prime Liston had it all. I think he had the tools to defeat all different styles, including recent SHWs. I give prime Liston a 50% shot vs prime Ali and am sure Liston defeats more Heavies throughout history than Ali, Louis or any other fighter does.
He had the tools to beat a heck of a lot of heavy s definitely. It's just a shame we never saw a younger version of sonny hit the division. By the time he met ali I think his best days were behind him slightly. So yep, a young liston does a lot of damage.
I would never pick Liston as the GOAT h2h. He quit in the first fight, and took a dive in the second fight with Ali. That is GOAT material, far from it.
Same here. Liston was a stylistic nightmare for a very afraid Patterson. On film, Cleveland Williams busts Sonny up before his chin gave out early. The first Ali fight before Liston quit showed Sonny was not that hard to shake up or cut. I had it 3-2 for Ali, but Ali was coming on and the 5th round Ali's eyes were burning him thanks of course to whatever ailment they put on Liston's body or gloves. Liston looks great, but he his competition was on the light side.
He had it all except for proper balance when throwing a power right hand if he misses.Defense when he lunged over leaving his head exposed ( mainly to uppercuts) .He drops his left hand almost always after he jabs...would he really getaway with that against a bigger refined jabber NOT from his era? He was BIG in HIS era,he had it all but would he even had have the size advantage IF we used other BIGGER fighters from other eras? NO He would struggle to have the same k.o impact against 230 plus pounders and his own punch resistance would also fall down against guys who would then outweigh him by a good 20 plus pounds. Liston excelled with stationary targets and was not very accurate when trying to hit someone on the move. Are you sure this guy had it ALL? He would not be the big bear anymore in most H2H matches against very talented SHW's.Dont tell me i used SIZE to make an argument i just listed quite a few faults that would be his undoing against many guys.
Which of the modern super heavies would you say hit harder than Williams? No one is very accurate trying to hit a moving target not Louis, or anyone else.Liston would not be outreached by today's boys and I venture to say he would not be outpowered either. I don't say he had it all, that fighter has not yet be born, but he had most of the tools needed to be considered a great heavyweight, apart from the ability to cut off the ring.imo Had he gotten his title chance when he first deserved it, he may have had several decent title defences on his record before he faced Ali. Bumping him up in the all time rankings. You're right about his right, he threw it awkwardly ,it was described in the trade papers as a longshoreman using his hook .
No. Liston was as predictable a hwt as you can ever find. A poor mans, slow, Joe Louis without Joes great boxing ability.
So, do you think Marciano, Dempsey, Tyson and Frazier could beat Liston? I dont. But they could beat Louis, because Louis couldnt deal with swarmers like Sonny could. Sonnys Chin is also > Louis' Chin.
All those fighters were greater fighters than Liston. Liston gave up, sitting on his stool, the greatest prize in sports. Sonny could be easily out gutted by a truely great fighter.
Tyson quit on his stool vs McBride. Was that prime Tyson? Liston wasnt that far past it, but his was past prime and out of shape. I'd equate Sonny vs Ali to Tyson vs Douglas. Yes, Douglas was great, but 88 Tyson was a different animal and may have won.
Yeah with that big heavy jab and more in his prime, theres a good chance Ali imo cant do anything with Liston, bit like Norton !