Liston Vs Frazier 1970

Frazier was too good, but he'd possibly suffer a knockdown. Liston is a terrible mess after 9.

 

Frazier would murder him. Liston didn't have enough to beat the second best Philadelphian heavyweight at the time. Let alone the first.

 

liston was shot at that time, I think he would be competitive enough for a young Frazier at least in the first couple of rounds but smoking joe would win. Now prime liston vs prime frazier I would give sonny the edge I think he is all wrong for frazier

 

The common sense outcome is Frazier over an ancient Liston. But Sonny presents a terrible danger in the first 3 or 4 rounds for a smaller swarmer that comes at him even at his age. I'd say for Frazier this fight carried too many risks and too few rewards for it to have happened.

 

Much like what Leotis Martin did to Sonny Liston in Dec 1969, KO 9.

 

As my fellow talented poster Reinhardt pointed out, the three or first four rounds present a danger to the smaller compact swarming Joe Frazier. Joe would have to bob and weave at a more rapid pace to avoid that Sonny Liston left hook that took down Floyd Patterson 8 years earlier. Frazier would have to focus his attack to the older Liston's torso to take away his wind and disrupt his stamina. Constant pressure would be key in scoring a later stoppage in which Liston's prime years were a faded memory.

 

I highly doubt this Liston goes 9 when he couldn't even go the full 8 a year earlier with the much less dangerous Martin.

 

Swag, Didn't Leotis Martin kayo Sonny Liston in round 9? I remember it was televised live on ABC"s Wide World Of Sports, Howard Cosell was the commentator.

 

Just rechecked Rich. You're absolutely correct.

I haven't watched this fight in quite some time because that combination and the way Liston falls always leaves me unnerved.

 

Yes, you helped me see the light on that subject. I think it would be over quicker and much worse for Liston if it was the FOTC Frazier, but the guy who massacred Ellis would really hurt Liston. Definite stoppage, Joe was too much of a Force of Nature by 1970.

 

Liston gets beaten, soaks up Joe's hooks and pays for it.

 

At this point in his career Sonny would only be there for the $. He may do Ok for 2 or 3 rounds but Joe was so determined at that time. He was at his best.

Frazier by TKO 6th

 

If you squint your eyes a little and imagine Frazier took Valium before the fight, this vision might suffice for Liston vs Frazier circa 1970.

A fan can dream, can’t he? LOL. Joe’s green trunks have already been taken care of - no need to imagine those.

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Old Scrap fought Joe Frazier also, 2 years prior, in ‘67, lasting the 10 round limit, winning 3 rounds at best. It was Joe’s 16th fight. Prior to facing Johnson, Joe had stopped 14 of 15 opponents (Bonavena the only opponent to last the distance).

Scrap was paid 8 K for the fight and bet 2 K on himself to last the distance at 10-1 odds. Nice! Liston is so much slower than prime but still very technically sound and still with a powerful punch but no longer carrying the same oomph and snap as prime.

Scrap fought Foreman also but I believe he rated Liston as the hardest puncher he faced. On the flip side, I also recollect reading that Foreman rated Scrap as having the best chin of any of his opponents.
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Thanks for sharing! I noticed even old Liston shared with Ali, old Foreman, and Holmes an uncanny mastery at changing up punch velocities. That's one fine ass jab, too.