This has been a real arse kicking. This thread doesn't do Frazier justice, but I have to agree with the majority... Liston crushes him.
This thread isnt really doing Frazier any justice but I agree, Liston wins via TKO in round 6 with Frazier bagging at least one round in the process.
Too many people put weight on Frazier losing to Foreman. In reality, that version was not even close to prime Frazier. Why would Liston stop Frazier early? Ignore the Foreman fight for a second and think about it. Who did Liston ever stop early? He stopped 23 boxers before the fourth round. How many of those were close to being as good as Frazier? None. Who was the best early KO? Against glass jawed Patterson. I'd really like to know why people think Frazier would be stopped so early, when the facts clearly say that would be unlikely to happen. According to the general consensus here, Frazier would last less than 4 rounds. Added to that, outside of the Foreman fight, how many times was Frazier down early? Despite being an slow starter, it wasn't often. You could certainly sayit was because he was either green or well past it. Making a prediction based on the loss against Foreman is like me bringing up the second Ali/Liston fight. Frazier had problems with Ron Stander. He was shot to pieces by the time he fought Foreman. Prime Frazier wins. I'd say he stops Liston late - Probably 10 or 11. Slightly harder puncher, better defence, faster and a better chin. He wouldn't allow Liston to fight at range and fight the way he wanted to. After taking some early punishment, Frazier would wear Liston down throughout the fight. Liston does give Frazier problems, but this fight is probably worse stylistically for him. Close fight, but the better man would win.
OMG is Liston overrated here! Liston would murder Frazier? WTF did this fighter that he´s so favoured by some of you? Frazier TKO 9 Liston
You got it right, Luigi :good Liston beat no elite fighters in his career and certainly who was close to being as good as Frazier. He was famous for quitting. That says a lot.
I think Joe Frazier is the greater fighter. But I dont know who would win between him and Liston. I guess it would be a tough fight either way. I think people under-rate Frazier terribly.
Exactly! I like Sonny and have nothing against him, but if we look at his best wins (mental ill and for punchers tailor made Patterson, totally old and shot Valdes, point win over Machen) we clearly see that he was not in Frazier´s league for example...
Many of us also feel Foreman would have done similar things to the best of Frazier. Stopping so many boxers early sure shows Liston had the Mad Pow to get someone out of their early. How many guys did Frazier fight that were as hard hitting as Liston and with as much ability to boot? Foreman, and we all know what happened there. Again, when did he ever face the punching and finishing calibre of a Liston? Again, we arrive at only Foreman, and IMO Liston is even more dangerous overall. The majority of us believe the second Ali fight to be a fix, whilst Foreman's stoppage of George is undoubtably above board. Harder puncher, i cannot agree. I think Liston packs more punch in their single best of their best and far far more power when averaged out over both wings. Liston also IMO has an underrated defense and his chin certainly matches Joe's IMO too. Liston has no aversion whatsoever to slugging in the trenches if need be, he has enormous power in both hands, a tight hook and a massive uppercut which is the punch i am betting will be the beginning of the end for Joe. Liston's jab will force Frazier to take chances getting inside and his uppercuts will be hell on wheels. I see an uppercut staggering Joe early with Liston finishing his man. When badly hurt Joe isn't going to get on his bike and find safe haven. I still think it is a stylistic nightmare for Joe. I think Joe is underrated both for ability and power nowadays and would beat plenty an ATG, but not this one.