Did Sonny Liston actually have an 84 inch wingspan ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by MarkusFlorez99, Jan 30, 2021.


  1. MarkusFlorez99

    MarkusFlorez99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    while Liston has a long reach and gigantic hands, im not too sure his wingspan was actually 84 inches like most people suggest.

    You're thoughts ?
     
    MarkusFlorez99, Jan 30, 2021
    MarkusFlorez99, Jan 30, 2021
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Not sure how accurate the sources are but it seems to be consistently listed that way. Perhaps he was just someone with unusually long arms for a person of 6’1”
     
    mr. magoo, Jan 30, 2021
    mr. magoo, Jan 30, 2021
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  3. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    mrkoolkevin, Jan 30, 2021
    mrkoolkevin, Jan 30, 2021
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  4. Rope-a-Dope

    Rope-a-Dope Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Let's not forget that shoulder width has a lot to do with reach. Wide shoulders will add a lot, narrow shoulders will mean less than normal. Sonny had wide shoulders...but I still question 84".
     
    Rope-a-Dope, Jan 30, 2021
    Rope-a-Dope, Jan 30, 2021
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  5. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Sonny Liston had 14 inch fist too.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Jan 30, 2021
    Richard M Murrieta, Jan 30, 2021
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  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    No. There is a fight where he is listed with less (78 iirc) and in the Williams fight the commentator goes on about how Williams' longer reach is helping him. To me he looks about the same as Williams tbh.
     
    BCS8, Jan 31, 2021
    BCS8, Jan 31, 2021
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  7. KidDynamite

    KidDynamite Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Sounds about right ... 84 is 7 feet ... He was probably around 80 or even less
     
    KidDynamite, Jan 31, 2021
    KidDynamite, Jan 31, 2021
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  8. The Morlocks

    The Morlocks Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yes. Why r u guys so obsessed with this? It is a constant thread topic.
     
    The Morlocks, Jan 31, 2021
    The Morlocks, Jan 31, 2021
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  9. Toney F*** U

    Toney F*** U Boxing junkie Full Member

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    No, everyone’s reach is pretty exaggerated. I learned this when I started boxing. There was a pro who measured like 68” at the gym and like 72” on fight night. Then I noticed literally all of the other pros were also lying lol.
     
    Toney F*** U, Jan 31, 2021
    Toney F*** U, Jan 31, 2021
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  10. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King

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    It's possible. I'm 6 feet tall with an 80 inch reach and a similar body structure to Liston. The nurses were confused when they measured me.

    When it comes to reach in sports people often measure from finger to finger with your arms out to the sides in a T formation. Liston had exceptionally big hands and long fingers with a wide chest so it isn't actually far fetched at all. Just rare.
     
    Glass City Cobra, Jan 31, 2021
    Glass City Cobra, Jan 31, 2021
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  11. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    It’s like the NBA, so many players are a couple inches shorter than listed as
     
    Thread Stealer, Jan 31, 2021
    Thread Stealer, Jan 31, 2021
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  12. KidDynamite

    KidDynamite Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    NBA apparently reports height in shoes

    Height weight reach and other physical attributes are exaggerated in most sports

    And this is all overrated anyway ... Tyson had a short reach yet found the target regardless
     
    KidDynamite, Jan 31, 2021
    KidDynamite, Jan 31, 2021
    #12
  13. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Had those very long fingers so maybe
     
    louis54, Jan 31, 2021
    louis54, Jan 31, 2021
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