When exactly was Listons Prime and what fights that are still available show him in his prime?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BoxingKings, Sep 18, 2023.


  1. BoxingKings

    BoxingKings New Member banned Full Member

    45
    54
    Sep 2, 2021
    I think Liston was past his prime in the first Ali fight but was still doing OK in the fight in spells. The medical evidence for the shoulder injury was there and he was clearly drinking a lot by this point in his career. When was Liston in his absolute prime? I think the Patterson fights are good performances but Floyd looks terrified and froze in those fights, pulling a Michael Spinks vs Tyson type performances.
     
    Smoochie likes this.
  2. Philly161

    Philly161 "Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless" banned Full Member

    1,669
    2,263
    Oct 25, 2020
    There wasnt very much time between Patterson 2 and Ali. If he was prime for Patterson he was prime enough for Ali. I doubt liston would have ever done well against Ali tbh.

    1960 liston had a hell of a run tho that may have been his prime.
     
  3. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    51,537
    41,654
    Apr 27, 2005
    58-61 were extremely strong years for him. Watch anything available in that bracket.
     
  4. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

    18,380
    19,229
    Jul 30, 2014
    The Williams fights and Machen. I'd say -59.
     
  5. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Our pope is the Holy Spirit Full Member

    6,942
    7,384
    Nov 3, 2021
    Sonny Liston Vs. Cleveland Williams 2 is still Liston's prime.
     
  6. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,679
    8,918
    Dec 17, 2018
    Around 58 to around 63, is my guess.
     
    Pedro_El_Chef likes this.
  7. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,578
    11,340
    Mar 23, 2019

    These are great ideas. Williams for a really good fight (and to see just how shockingly devastating Sonny could be) and the Machen to show what a good boxer and how much adaptiblity he had.
     
    swagdelfadeel likes this.