Who wins? My feeling on this matchup has changed. At one point, I thought Frazier might drown Liston may, but now I think Liston would have stopped Frazier inside of 6.
Im going with fraizer for now . i feel listons power is overrated some what and wont do what george did . fraizer drown him Note: do not get butthurt over an opinion ESB
Their are only 2 fighters I'd favor over FOTC Frazier and unfortunately for him Liston is one of them.
I think Liston would have fought Frazier if he didn't lose to Leotis Martin. I've read that Sonny considered Joe tailor made for him, that it would be like shooting fish in a barrel.
Joe Frazier wins this fight. But it would have to be the very best version of Joe Frazier not the one that George Foreman beat.
Liston did have better skills than Foreman, he just didn’t beat anyone close to as good as even the version of Joe Frazier that Foreman beat. Of course Sonny does have a punchers chance against Joe, But I think Frazier at his best will land more punches than Sonny can land on him...and Frazier was a better puncher than any of the guys Sonny beat. Liston never really proved to be as resilient as Frazier was, he never really had to, and then there is the serious issue that Frazier dishes out a lot more heavy leather than anybody Liston had to deal with. I definitely think Quarry, Ellis, Bonavena, Bugner And Ali are a better Resume of opposition than Harris, Foley, Patterson And machen. I would pick Jimmy Ellis to beat all the guys Sonny beat so I think it is quite a leap to select Sonny over a prime Frazier.
Picking Liston here. In a close one. Liston wins by points. With a lot of knock downs. Might pick Frazier on a rematch
Liston didn't prove to be as resiliant as Frazier? Frazier was dropped more times in one round than Liston was in his entire career!
Although I admired both as all time great fighters, I believe prime Sonny Liston, of 1960, vs prime Joe Frazier, 1970, would be one great fight. Sonny, at this time had not met a prime Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967, and Smokin Joe had not met a rusty Muhammad Ali, on March 8 1971, yet. But he just blew away, World Light Heavyweight Champion, Bob Foster, TKO 2. I have read that the team of Yank Durham and Eddie Futch, did not want Joe to meet Sonny, as far back as 1968, fearing Liston's style, power were all wrong for Joe. In a prime match, Sonny would not be intimidated by Frazier's recent victories, but Joe would not be in awe of The Bear. Liston begins by keeping Joe at the end of his stiff pole like left jab, while Joe bobbed and weaved, targeting Sonny's body. Sonny and his 14 inch fist connect often, while absorbing Joe's lethal left hook early. In round 5, Liston after tasting the Frazier hook, pushes Joe back and lands his own left hook which spills Frazier to the canvas, for the mandatory eight count. Joe gets up, showing severe swelling over his right eye, but attempts a continued assault on Sonny's body. A solid left staggers Frazier, as Durham hurls a towel into the ring, the fight is stopped, late in round 5. After the bout, Frazier declares, Sonny Has A Hard Head, He Must Have Taken Many Blows To The Head By The Correction Officers While In Prison. Liston Says, Frazier Has A Lot Of Guts.
