Would Michael Dokes destroy Sonny Liston just like Ali did

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MarkusFlorez99, Sep 26, 2025.


  1. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not only is Dokes bigger than him but Liston struggled with fast fighters and counter punchers and Dokes would be an evolved heavyweight compared to Listons competition
     
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  2. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    No.

    Dokes had fast hands but he did not move around with the footspeed of Ali.

    No other fighter than Ali could have made Liston miss those big left hooks. If Ali was a touch slower, he couldn't have avoided those hooks. Even guys like Holmes or Usyk couldn't dance away from Liston the way Ali did.

    Furthermore, Ali hit harder than Dokes, and was far more durable.

    Liston didn't struggle vs faster fighters. He struggled vs one elite super fast fighter like Ali and there is no other Ali.
     
  3. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Dude was tough but he lost to Dexter and then Lila. Poymunently.
     
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  4. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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  5. apollack

    apollack Boxing Addict Full Member

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    No, because Dokes did not have the footwork. He was right there in front of you. Not a formula for success against a killer puncher like Liston. Ali was tall, slick, and elusive, with footwork, angles, awkward head movement, and clinching. Liston would not struggle as much to hit Dokes.
     
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  6. BoxingFanMike

    BoxingFanMike Member Full Member

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    Dokes was had fast hands but not so much fast feet. He was also not very elusive. The epitome of the 80s lost cocaine heavies. Personally I think Liston clubs him like a seal on an ice flow. Never cared for Dokes at all.
     
  7. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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  8. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No, Michael was fast but didn't have the skillset to take out Sonny.
     
  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Dokes also fought very short-armed, that weird old man posture with his butt out and shoulders way back. He fought in bursts that were fairly predictable (at least from the couch). Liston would nail him at distance between bursts of activity. And I do believe that Sonny's power translates to any era.
     
  10. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    No.. while Dokes had very fast hands it was Ali’s footwork that was mostly responsible for out maneuvering Liston. Now that said, it’s possible that Dokes might have given an aging Liston a good fight at that stage.
     
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  11. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s Full Member

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    Holmes and Usyk would stop Liston, I’d bet the house on it… Eddie Machen with one arm had Liston almost fouling out, Ali ain’t the “only man” who could get it done, actually there are numerous and some who’d be “stationary” targets. Dokes losses but he puts up a very good fight and we learn a lot about Liston.
     
  12. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    No. Liston had a huge reach, Dokes got hit a lot, did have the legs to go with the hand speed. People still dont get Liston. He was an exceptional fighter. Not just a slugger based on size. Crushing power. Terrific jab. The man has a monster.
     
  13. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Evolved, how?
     
  14. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Holmes and Usyk aren't stopping Liston. They have never stopped durable fighters. I'd bet my house on Liston not only not being stopped by Holmes and Usyk but also beating them.
     
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  15. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

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    Dokes would be no problem. Liston was too strong for him. Eventually Dokes would get caught on the ropes and chopped down.