The title thread says “slowest boxers in history” You can’t become heavyweight champion of the world beating a host of top contenders including a speedy champion and be in that category.
I had a fight on pause overnight and woke up and they STILL haven’t thrown a punch … or moved an inch.
There are many heavyweights slower than Liston who manage to connect. Old Foreman and Valuev were both very slow by contender standards, but they still hit people. I'm not remotely surprised that a skilled, ATG puncher like Liston could knock people out despite being slow. Anyway, Kahwagi (sp?) from early in the thread is the answer to the question.
Liston wasn't slow. Any student of boxing who has actually studied a few of his fights prior to Ali, and not just the highlights of the Ali fights know this.
Jim Watt was noted during his reign for being slower than most lightweights. Yet he conclusively decisioned the fastest man in boxing, Howard Davis, Jr. He led at all times on the scorecards against Sean O'Grady, and in a wildly atypical slow retreat, went the Championship Distance with Arguello, one of only three to ever achieve that (Ernesto Marcel and uber rugged Arturo Leon being the other two). Watt also performed credibly over the Championship Distance against ATG Ken Buchanan, who forced Carlos Ortiz into retirement just two bouts previously with Ken's vastly superior hand speed and quickness. Watt was slower but also much physically stronger than most lightweights, also very smart and with a superb sense of rhythm behind his right jab. (Jim was a right hander who discovered he was most comfortable boxing from a southpaw stance.) Extremely well conditioned. Considering his lack of speed, he achieved substantially. His first and last defeats over the Championship Distance were to two ATGs. After O'Grady, the boxing magazines declared that only a great fighter could take his title, not merely a very good one. So it was. Then he bowed out in a classy and timely way despite Arguello's expressed willingness to rematch him. Very pleased but somewhat surprised Marciano hasn't been cited in this thread. His vastly superior hand speed decimated Rex Layne, his subtle defensive moves were underrated but have been highlighted on YouTube, and the lightning jab-double hook which crumbled Harry Matthews struck out of nowhere. Rocky would definitely not belong here. Not Jess Willard either. There is footage of his jab darting in and out on Frank Moran before Moran even had a chance to extend his left out.
Hi Buddy. Excellent and pinpoint observation, and analytical breakdown of a very competent fighter, and kudos to you for bringing it to the fold, many a poster should be nodding his/her head in approval, and few discerning counters, many thanks. stay safe amigo.
But, as you just said, there are many HWs slower than Liston, which hardly makes him part of the conversation as per the thread title.
Its the roids. When Holyfield equips these items in his skill tray, they give him +3 in STR and DUR in exchange for -3 SPD. You have to watch Holmes though. If not careful he'll sneak a Potion for +5 HLTH recovery like he did against Shavers. There is no other way to explain how he got back up after Shavers hit him with that right hand.