..Which of the 70s /80s heavy contenders and champs would he have rated the most ? We've heard older champ's rating more modern day contenders and champions ,so if Sonny had lived ,who iyo would he have praised and who would he have criticised ?
Hard to tell but I imagine he would be a fan of knock out artist and big punchers like himself, I think his favorite fighters that came after him would be shavers, lyle, Tyson, the klitchko bros, and obviously foreman. I couldn' see him liking some of these outfighters that don' even go for a k.o.
Yes , I think your right. He'd probably have fancied his chances against a few of em to , what ever age he was. He'd have been itching to get in the Ring with shavers and Lyle , to show em who's boss ! He'd have been a big supporter of Foreman , maybe in his corner against Frazier Even .Perhaps being there for him after the Ali loss .He'd have been a fan of Tyson but also his biggest critic IMO . And no doubts confident about ko ing both K brother s !
I doubt his opinion would be very insightful. Probably praises Tyson and Foreman the most. It would be interesting to see what he would have to say about Foreman in both the 70s and 90s since they trained together for a time.
He could even have been there for Foreman s comeback trail. Standing in George's corner , giving holy field or moorer the evil eye !
this thread did put me in nostalgic mode. ali said that would have liked talking with sonny when both were old men and talk about the past
The story's they could have told each other. Liston would probably laughed at young clays / Ali's antics .
Obviously he would've loved George Foreman. Liston would've watched Foreman/Frazier like a proud dad. He probably would've liked Tyson. He might have been part of Tyson's entourage. He would probably have liked Shavers. He'd probably like Holmes and Berbick for beating up a washed up Ali.He would like Frazier for doing the same to a younger Ali.
Liston would be looking at Holyfield and Moorer thinking "If I was just a little younger, I could take em".
I think he'd have felt that way about a good few heavy s .In fact ,he' might have been hoping for a go at the mid 70 s contender s ! I can just see him eyeing up Lyle and shavers saying " I can take those bums "!.
Maybe, but there was talk of Liston fighting Frazier in 1971. I think if this fight had happened at that time, it would've been Liston's swan song. This likely would've been the fight that sent Liston into retirement.
Oh with out a doubt. Liston way to past it by then. Frazier would have really hurt Sonny IMO. But I get the feeling that even a middle aged Liston would fancy his chances against most guys. Fighter s never stop dreaming.