Marshall never floored Liston that's a story Marshall put about, unsupported by any fight reports. .Liston also beat Williams fighting with a broken nose, the idea that he will quit as soon as Marciano turns up the heat is wishful thinking imo
Fair call. I was going by a Sports Illustrated article from 1964 that I read recently that stated the knock down happened but that was Marty Marshall saying that. If you and John Thomas doubt it then that's good enough for me, to think he might be gilding the lily. I do stand by saying Liston going 4-5 rounds with a frctured jaw against Marty Marshall isn't as heroic as going "the best part of 10 rounds with a broken jaw" as the other poster reckoned, when you take the Marshalls size, lack of pop and status into account. Liston is a bad stylistic matchup for Marciano in theory with that huge reach advantage and ramrod jab but who knows? The two Ali fights are black spots on his record (though the first fight looked totally on the level to me) whereas Marciano only ever showed an ability to overcome the odds when things were going against him. I don't subscribe to the "Liston was an unbeatable monster" narrative though I accept he was as formidable as hell and would take a great fighter to beat him at his best. Liston was a novice when Marshall defeated him and I readily concede he improved out of sight from this hiccup. I've got an open mind about a Marciano-Liston prime for prime clash. A 39 years old comebacking Marciano has zero chance whatsoever.
Sounds like this was a conversation after a heavy meal, and an after dinner cigar, and some consumption of alcoholic beverages.
No it never happened, I made it all up.I've just left a site because it was populated by wise ass ******. Seems I've found anotherJesus!
Did you not notice the highlighted that others did? Pretty sure i remember you trying to bandy around Liston getting dropped too (surpise!) before Mac or someone smashed the story.
Rocky did well to stay retired ,so many come back .But if he had ,it would have being in the same way as Johnson v Jeffries ,Louis v Marciano ,Holmes v Ali etc .Old Rocky up against Liston ..I shudder.
Yes I think the knockdown claim was smashed after I already smashed the "Liston only got his jaw broke because he was laughing" story. Both sides decided that if the only source is the fighter himself then throw it out. However the jaw was broken and he was 20 pounds the heavier man when he lost.
Walcott went for the kill in the 11th and had Rocky reeling but not out. After that, he was only able to go in short spurts, walking backwads in postholes. Thus he got trapped on the ropes, no legs, and with no other choice but to trade with Marciano. The Rock got there first. That's my read.
You really think an ancient Walcott, 23 years into his career, was really that good? That version of Walcott? BTW, a guy who lost 19 times. I know, I know, he was having difficulty in the 30's and 40's. I'm sure all his opponents were living high on the hog.
Oh so Rocky only won because Walcott had already tired himself out in round 11? The punch only took him out because he was so fatigued? It wasnt a good enough punch otherwise?
Can I ask again which of Alis 1960s challengers would have beat a championship version of Walcott? Even the 1970s challengers?
I think he might be suggesting that ,had Walcott been younger ,he would not have been so fatigued and would not have been backing to the ropes to steal rest and therefore there is a reasonable chance that he would not have been caught with that punch? At least that's how I am interpreting his post.
Walcott lost to Rex Layne 8 months prior to winning the title. So,unless you think he magically improved during that time,I'd say Terrell,Folley, Chuvalo,Patterson would all have reasonable chances of besting him.