One of the most replaceable HW champs? Sonny Liston?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Journeyman92, May 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM.

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  1. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mr Gadfly Full Member

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    Well let’s dust off my pitch fork and go straight for the jugular with my first statement, I think we can think of plenty of guys who could beat everybody Liston did on the way to and winning the title. SL was one of the earlier combinations of big, strong and decently skilled fighters (albeit lumbering) it’s my thought that he resided over favourable competition and plenty of guys after him would bowl over Folley, Williams, Machen and Patterson just fine? But who’d be the “worst” or least expected guy to do it? Gerry Cooney is a solid pick? Old Foreman? Rahman? “Big” James? Chris Byrd? I think you guys can come up with some names.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2025 at 1:45 AM
    Journeyman92, May 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM
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  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mr Gadfly Full Member

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    Just to tailor the thread a bit so it doesn’t get wonky with timelines, a fighter shows up in decent shape each time much like Sonny - these are solid versions of a fighter if you thought for whatever reason Buster Mathis at 235lbs would do it but the beached whale version wouldn’t I’d let you use in-shape Mathis for all the fights.
     
    Journeyman92, May 22, 2025 at 1:42 AM
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  3. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mr Gadfly Full Member

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    @Rollin :Saeufer:
    This content is protected
     
    Journeyman92, May 22, 2025 at 1:46 AM
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  4. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    To be fair though—finishing Patterson this fast really was a testament to Liston's accuracy. Not sure how he would handle another granite slugger, and we sure know he didn't like them circling, but he damn well could find his target when presented.
     
    Rollin, May 22, 2025 at 2:45 AM
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  5. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mr Gadfly Full Member

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    He did do good against Patterson but plenty of guys are running through Liston’s opposition, I’d maybe pick David Haye if he showed up to probably do it in 2 years.
     
    Journeyman92, May 22, 2025 at 2:50 AM
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  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Tokyo Douglas
     
    BCS8, May 22, 2025 at 3:24 AM
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  7. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    An eternal Tokyo Douglas is almost overkill for this.
     
    cross_trainer, May 22, 2025 at 4:16 AM
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  8. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    “I’m so lonely….none of the viltrumites want to debate with me”
     
    Melankomas, May 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
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  9. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Buster Douglas is criminally underrated.
     
    HistoryZero26, May 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Interesting thread J
    Good one mate.
     
    Fergy, May 22, 2025 at 11:05 AM
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  11. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Here we go with this garbage.
     
    swagdelfadeel, May 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
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  12. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Elaborate.
     
    swagdelfadeel, May 22, 2025 at 11:17 AM
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  13. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Honestly I’d be interested to see how Harry wills does against Sonny’s opposition
     
    Melankomas, May 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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  14. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I was being diplomatic so Journ doesn't chase me to the end of existence for thinking Sonny was the goods.
     
    Rollin, May 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
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  15. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    An interesting pick.

    You could also go the other direction and pick a modern southpaw, just because of their relative rarity in Sonny's era.
     
    cross_trainer, May 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM
    #15
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