So I found this ESPN Classic version of Liston vs. Machen, where certain portions of the fight are filmed with a relatively clear, and high quality camera for the time. While there is a lot of noise, scratches, and gain in the film, the depth and focus is very clear, giving it a more grounded modern feel to it. You can clearly see the definition of the muscles, and you can get an accurate sense for the body mechanics, the balance of the fighters, the power of their punches, and the energy exerted in the movements. In this clip you get a better sense for Listons strength, head movement, blocking, power, hand speed, balance, and sharp precise mechanics. https://streamable.com/ktpnm
Cheers! For me, I can really see the "freak athlete" people commonly described him as. If you just look at his arms, it seems like he's lunging with all his punches. But then you look down, and you see that his feet are still set! It's just his insanely long reach! His jab is so fast, and rock solid with lots of explosiveness to it. His double jab is sneaky. His 1-2-3 is deadly. And the hook that comes off the straight right is awesome. Machen reminds me of Ward. Very clever at finding opportunities to counter Listons momentum. And finds a way to stand his ground against the stronger fighter.
yeah, his reach strikes me as well. Crazy how 6'9 ft Tyson fury has a reach of 85 inches. Meanwhile Liston, being only 6'1, has an 84 inch reach. Insane. 'Freak Athlete' seems about right.
Gorgeous footage. Still don't buy the listed 84 inch reach for a second, but the lack of handspeed on display is a sign, for me, that faster heavyweights with modern dimensions would be a problem for him. That doesn't affect his ranking for me because I don't think it's fair to hold it against a guy for not fitting in to generations he never fought in. I just don't get some of the hype I've seen on him the last few years when I see people say he's in the running for H2H best all time.
Once again,....excellent, just excellent Rez. Machen reminded me of Jimmy Young there for a bit...and I'm more than convinced that Young would have either beaten Liston of would have made him look very bad.
Looking at the footage I do buy his version that he injured his right, since he hardly uses it. And it's impressive to last to the end one handed, even though he only won the odd round on my card.
A great clip, thanks for posting it, very very clear vid for the time. If it were not for Clay/Ali, i wonder who would have been able to dethrone him, or may be 'outside' influences might have come into play in the matter.
Liston saw punches coming extremely well for an aggressive fighter and had good defense. At one stage while launching his own right hand he simultaneously ducks a left and then comes back with a superb left hook counter and then hooks again for good measure before Machen is out of range. This is top level fighting.
