Ingemar Johansson vs Sonny Liston 1959

How many common opponents did they have? Johansson obliterated Machen who went the distance with Liston. If you like that kind of comparisons, you must also consider that. Any undisputed champ putting opponents like Ingo put away his deserves at least a punchers chance against any opponent there is with perhaps a few exceptions.
To act like it was a fluke is just backward as he beat each and every one of the opponents put in front of him. Many of them proved themselves to be a high quality even though they may not have been ranked top 10 by the ring at the time.
Also such ratings are subjective.

 

I get that, I think relevant is fair. I just wanted to check you realised it wasn't as relevant as beating 4 x fighters at the time they were ranked top 10, which I think you've confirmed you do.

 

I favour Liston because it's the obvious conclusion having watched both he & Ingo. Same reason 95%+ of posters would likely favour Liston in a poll. Their respective performances against Patterson aren't definitive proof of how an Ingo vs Liston fight would go, but they're a reasonable indicator.

 

Just the 2 that I can think of. Against those 2, Liston went 3-0 & Ingo 2-2.

 

With both at their best, I would put my money on Sonny Liston, thinking an early rounds KO a distinct possibility. Of course, Ingo would have a puncher's chance, but I don't think of that chance as a very good one.

 

And would you favour Marty Marshall over Ingo since you think Liston would beat Ingo and Marshall beat Liston?

 

Fair enough Joey Maxim>Floyd Patterson> Ingemar Johannson.

This is a level of dishonesty that would put even your buddy Chok to shame.

 

I would favor Liston but I wouldn’t write off Ingo

 

The thread has gone a lot longer than the fight would’ve have.

As much as it pains me, particularly my being a descendant of one, Peter Anderson, a salty Swedish Sea Captain of the late 1800s (fact), I have to go with Sonny.

My question is: will Ingemar, the GOAT (next to Liston), at least get to land ONE hammer blow on Sonny’s chin? I like Liston’s D but he could be hit.

No, I don’t believe the ONE hammer blow would solve Ingo’s problems - but I would at least like to see it land.

What then?

I think it could stun Liston, perhaps even could cause a slight wobble - but Sonny wouldn’t be ripe for the picking and clubbing follow ups like so many other victims of Thor’s right hand.

See Liston vs Williams (x2) for how Sonny deals with getting tagged by flush, nuclear powered punches - he dealt with them quite well actually.

Ingo and Sonny got along well, Ingo was more than happy to manage Liston for several fights but he made it clear that he never wanted to engage Sonny himself.

With everything else we have going for us, we Swedes are also not dumb.

‘Tis an interesting “concept” to give a fighter “extra” credit for beating opponents who, AT SOME TIME in their careers, were ranked in the Top 10 - even if they weren’t ranked thusly as at the time said fighter beat them.

When I say “interesting” - I mean the AT SOME TIME ranking doesn’t count if they weren’t ranked as at THE TIME said fighter beat them.

 

TMI buddy, TMI !!!!!!!

 

In my defence, D = defence. TMI = Totally Misinterpreted Intention. That’ll teach me - trying to be too cool and jiggly with my lingo. Wazzup Dog!

 

Leave the cool for the kids in here!!!! Us old dawgs just ain't up with it

 

Brian London.

Pretty rich coming from the guy who makes excuse after excuse for Ingo, in his prime being dropped, knocked out, on his feat, and retired by Brian London, while going on and on about Liston's early career SD loss.

Also who could forget this gem, from your previous account.

You have no right to accuse anyone of making excuses after posting rot like that.

Next time you want to call me out, at least quote me or namedrop me you coward. You've been gone over half a year and still haven't grown a set in the interim.

 

I agree in the case of a fighter losing a ranking “before” they meet but a recent later ranking might show they were worthy all along? Rather than not counting, I think it is notable that they later register by the time Ingo is champ.

For instance in this case I now think it is notable that Williams stopped the unranked Terrell. Had Williams not lost the rematch it would count even more.

despite being previously knocked out by Ingo, these men are still good enough to score wins after this to earn their position in the top ten. It’s not like they vanished from sight after losing to Ingo.

None of them were gifted these positions. It was legitimately earned. Cooper beat Folley. Etc etc. so isn’t it relevant in this case?

 

No. Despite contesting a series with Marshall whilst green, Liston has a winning record vs him.

Take a look at Billy Conn's early record. Those losses are also irrelevant to evaluating a peak Conn.