Sonny Liston vs Rockys Resume

Liston has the better resume. Probably only because of the age factor of some of Rocky’s opponents. I’d expect him to do similar maybe dropping one along the way. He wasn’t as disciplined as the Rock so it’s hard to say. If he stays on his game he can win them all but it’s a big if

 

I think he might have had a pretty decent reign if he had gotten his shot earlier.

 

Walcott didn't have the chin to hang with Sonny imo.
Lastarza would be Roy Harris again. Charles a very good fight for a while,but Sonny gets to him late.Louis goes out in 6rds.Cokkell maybe lasts 2 rds. Moore 6 to 8rds.
There is nobody on Marciano's resume I would make favourite over him.That does not mean he wouild not drop a fight because of "outside pressures ,"or lack of conditioning though.

 

He could have racked up defences over Harris,Machen ,Williams, Folley,Johannson, which would have elevated him considerably,provided as you say, he stayed off the sauce.

 

I feel that if you take one CM Clay off the table, then Liston fought weaker opposition than Marciao.

The fact that even he still picked up other losses, should give you some idea how hard Marciano's resume is to replicate.

So to answer the question:

I think it is likely that Liston picks up a loss on the way up, but I also think that Marciano was lucky not to.

I also think that Liston's training habits would have deteriorated after he won the title, as they did in his own era.

This likely leads to a loss at some point.

Liston might have matched Marciano's resume, but it is a big ask, even for him!

 

Liston fought the better competition but Marciano beat the better competition

 

If Liston had had Marciano s attitude to training and discipline and a certain Mr Clay hadn't been around then he stays champ for a good few years more imo. I know he was knocking on by the time he'd beat Floyd, but I don't see many problems for Liston. We can't say for certain how a guys fighting life could have panned out different but Sonny was the start of the big heavy weight s that had excellent fighting skills. If, as I say, he'd been top shape and no silly life style outside of the ring, well hed maybe be up there with Foreman.. Who knows.

 

If Liston had had Marciano s attitude to training and discipline, then Clay would have been snuffed out before he fully hit his stride!

Spoiler, he didn't!

 

Whenever Liston one the title he wasn’t going to be a long term champion imo.

As others have said it was a mind set thing with him as is it is with many other champions.

They have all the ambition in the world leading up to becoming champion then lose that certain edge once they get there.

It’s not uncommon.
It takes that bit more mentally to become a dominant champ.

 

I do agree, being a champion does make you a better fighter, but sometimes you lose your edge if you are not hungry anymore. You do need skill and training too. But the mental edge is so important.