Over a broad sampling of comparisons, including his fight vs 6’ 5” Wepner, I always felt that Joe was at least a solid 6’4 possibly even 6’4 1/2” at best. Not perfectly ideal for comparison but not too shabby either, - Liston’s arms appear a touch longer than Bugner’s - and Joe’s reach is listed as 82”. Then of course there were Liston’s huge hands which are partially furled here - palm and fingers straightened out would add to the overall reach of course. Just on this pic at least, Liston’s 84” reach or very close to holds up pretty well imo. There are still pics of Liston’s fully extended jab which make his reach appear downright freaky tbh. At any rate, good to see Sonny looking his usual happy self alongside Bugner.
According to the Sunday Mirror, which was sponsoring Bugner's tour of the US: Geared up and ready, he was nodded into the ring. As he walked round to limber up, Liston stalked one pace behind him and when the bell went he jumped right in. The look on his great black face spelt annihilation but Joe was not bothered at all. He went right to work. He hit fast and hard and in just a few seconds Liston was breathing like a grampus, sweating too. It would be untrue to pretend that in those two rounds Liston was giving it all he had. He wasn't. But, unlike Mr Polite, Joe was. He bored in hard every chance he got and without a speck of fear. When the six minutes were over the mob burst into applause for his performance. Liston: He's a good boy. He's got a lot to learn, but he's going to go places. Can I buy a piece of him? Does that answer your question of what I think of him? https://ibb.co/gFmH0f39
