Prime Sonny Liston vs the tough guys of the 90s

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 20, 2023.

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  1. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Liston vs
    Shannon Briggs
    Hasim Rahman
    Oliver McCall
    Bert Cooper
    Herbie Hide

    Could Liston make it through this Murderers Row
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 20, 2023
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  2. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    Liston has no problem with this occasionally very good but overall less than stellar lineup. I also believe he would beat Holyfield and Bowe in a best two of three type format.
     
    Fogger, Jul 20, 2023
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  3. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    IMO prime Liston 1959-60 would have gone undefeated through this Murderers Row:
    Shannon Briggs
    Hasim Rahman
    Oliver McCall
    Bert Cooper
    Herbie Hide
     
    ikrasevic, Jul 20, 2023
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  4. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Even Herbie Hide??
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 20, 2023
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  5. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    :D
    Yes. Even Herbie Hide. You made me smile for good morning (it's morning here). Herbie Hide would pass as Patterson.
     
    ikrasevic, Jul 20, 2023
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  6. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes I believe Liston would beat the proposed list of fighters. I’ll go a step further and say that he’d have a strong presence in the 90s and would even be a champion in “parts” of that decade.
     
    mr. magoo, Jul 20, 2023
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  7. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    McCall was tough, strong, excellent chin and had a hard punch. If he came to fight, he could test Liston.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 20, 2023
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  8. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He should beat them all without much fuss.

    Rahman and iron chinned McCall would be toughest tests, but I don't see why Liston wouldn't be heavily favoured over them.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Jul 21, 2023
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  9. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Peak Sonny … making that stipulation … leaves them all horizontal.
     
    PRW94, Jul 21, 2023
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  10. northpaw

    northpaw Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think he goes undefeated against this lineup.
     
    northpaw, Jul 21, 2023
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  11. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    I think that people greatly overrate Liston. I also don't think he makes it through those guys without a loss, or two losses. Not unless he faces awful versions of them.
     
    BCS8, Jul 21, 2023
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  12. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Who is his eventual conqueror?
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 21, 2023
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  13. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    The one thing is that Liston had a size advantage in the 50s and 60s that he wouldn't enjoy in the 90s. Most of the guys on the list would be bigger than him. But perhaps Liston's punching power and skills would carry the day
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 21, 2023
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  14. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Better call an ambulance, these boys will need it.
     
    Reinhardt, Jul 21, 2023
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  15. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    McCall is the toughest to KO but gets outboxed quite easily. Briggs could play similar to Cleveland Williams but won't (I've never been high on Briggs). Rahman is a poor man's Liston. Herbie Hide seemed awkward to me, but it won't matter.

    That leaves Smokin Bert. I think Cooper might be the most dangerous at any time in the fight but ultimately gets bludgeoned. Even a game Cooper looked for ways out.

    A focused Liston at his best on paper should run the gamut.
     
    Sangria, Jul 21, 2023
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