Who would you pick to win a barfight *against Sonny Liston*?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cross_trainer, Jan 20, 2022.


  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    This may be a question for McGrain but I think he once mentioned something about Liston beating up a police officer.
     
  2. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    I looked up Angus & am not sure what to make of it.
    There is a museum dedicated to him & the website for him says "even if his strength is exaggerated", & elsewhere there is a link saying anchors only weigh ~ 600 lbs.-because his Wikipedia page & other second hand sources claim he could lift a 2,800 lb. anchor up to his chest. That cannot be nearly true, since after many years of scien-terrific training & oodles of PEDs, the best ever Deadlift-getting a weight to your crotch- is1100 lbs.

    Also I see him nowhere listed as 500 lbs., I believe it said a pretty lean 425. This is how things get overstated.
    Also where is there any indication of immense athleticism, even in the legend? They just say he was incredibly strong.
    The biggest non-pituitary giant ever, with seemingly the largest hands, feet, & bone structure ever? An 80" chest?
    Likely he could lift a 600 lbs. anchor to his chest.
    [url]https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Angus+MacAskill[/url]
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2022
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  3. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    No why do you say that?
    Was he even very ornery? He did not hit especially hard, just huge & scary looking.
     
  4. Jason Gordon

    Jason Gordon Active Member banned Full Member

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  5. Jd775

    Jd775 New Member Full Member

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    John L Sullivan is the man here. Would definitely take out Liston in a bar fight
     
  6. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Most here know the story, so the answer is easy:

    Reg Gutteridge
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2022
  7. williams7383

    williams7383 TKO 6 Klit Lickers Full Member

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    And that makes a lot of people bottle it
     
  8. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Yah, but no indication Tyson & Liston would run...
    And while he could be your best choice due to his combination of appearance, size, AND his negotiating/calming skills as a bouncer, he will not be the best fighter around.
     
  9. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT banned Full Member

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    Without proper verification, the height, size and strength of these giants are almost always exaggerated - particularly circa early 1800s.

    In some cases of pituitary gigantism some were likely impaired as to have none too impressive strength. Neil Fingleton of the UK 7”7 1/2”, weighing 370 lbs was apparently a healthy “natural” giant but great size will of course take its greater toll over time with greater force acting upon the individual. Neil used to be a basketball player and also appeared in GOT. I don’t know anything about his strength but given he was fit and healthy for the greater part, I’d assume him to have been quite strong.

    This guy, Vaino Myllyrinne, a Finnish acromegalic giant, was one of the better proportioned, huge all around giants. He reportedly hit 8’3” max. his growth drawn out, with a spurt even into later adulthood. He was also reportedly very strong. Here’s some vision of Vaino, probably calculated to be 7’10” or 7’11” as at the time - he looks like your more classic fairy tale type “giant” as opposed to some who were/are far more slender in appearance and stretched out - e.g. Robert Wadlow. Sultan Kosen etc. Plenty of photos of Vaino going around to judge him for yourself.

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  10. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm 100% sure that some of his feats are exaggarated. It doesn't change the fact that someone so big being healthy and fit would be quite intimidating. Angus was supposedly in good health throughout his life until he injured his back during lifting an anchor.

    Again, if you don't like this choice I'll go to different direction and pick the Great Gama :)
     
  11. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    I did not know about this guy, very nice!
    I wonder about the Scottish strongman, because although he is bille as the tallest non-pathological giant, he did not start getting really tall until adolescence. That certainly sounds like a pituitary problem, but maybe be was just an extreme case of a later bloomer-like an exaggerated version of Dennis Rodman.
     
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  12. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think that Angus size is verified, though I can't be sure as I didn't spend a lot of time researching. Of course his strength feats are not, but it's fair to assume he was strong compared to average person and boxers aren't super strong compared to other athletes.
     
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  13. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He does look less stretched out than Wadlow, but it's clear that his height is caused by some form of gigantism. All you need to do is to look at his face.
     
  14. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    They are all good choices, & now I learned about "The Great Gama". 5' 8" & Undefeated in wrestling for 52 years?! Insane.
     
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  15. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I discovered him recently, his career is insane!