Did Sonny Liston really have an 84-inch reach??

Liston was 6ft 1/2 inches 80 inches is 6.67 feet so that would mean at 80 inches Listons wing span was a wee bit longer than his height & that would be a freakish arm length so I think 84 inches is Liston hyberbole

 

All true, except the head has nothing to do with any of it.
You can have a giant skull or be a microcephalic. It effects the apearance of the surrounding area-like big or small hair-but not at all any other measurements.

 

Not a wee bit, even 80" is a +9" ape factor, very large indeed.
The reason Liston MIGHT be 84" involve...

1) The longest discrepencies between height & wingspan ever are a rare + 11", save Beejay Anya who is at least a + 12", 13" if he was "only" 6' 8" (likely barefoot).
Both Mohamed Banya (phenom prospect, longest NBA draft wingspan ever) & Manute Bol (8' 6"!) wingspan, were + 11".
So it does exist.

2) To get this massive Ape Factor, you almost always must have what Liston clearly did-extremely long arms AND hands for your height.
Plus relative to your height, very wide set clavicles/chest.
Both of which Liston had in spades.

In the end, who knows if he was a little under 80" as once listed, or a leigitimate 84".

 

It wouldn't actually be four or six inches, but about halt that. Remember, reach measures both arms from finger tip to finger tip. I think it should more often be called wingspan, as it's less misleading.

 

Don't understand this reply. I'm fully aware that reach is from fingertip from fingertip.

If Ali had an 78 inches reach and as long arms as Liston, Liston would have to have 6 inches more over the shoulders and fingers to have an 84 reach. I don't think he had that.

 

What about that series in the weight in?
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/EF9T7R/muhammad-ali-sonny-liston-aka-cassius-clay-1970-EF9T7R.jpg
https://sineilleifer.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/10951.jpg?w=960

If Liston is 185cm in height, I´ve estimated bewteen 80-82" in raech. Problem is also to measure the shoulder width correctly.

 

OMG!lol
Marciano thigh 22"
Tua thigh 30"

 

Whoops!

 

What I mean is the guy with the shorter reach wouldn't have to get six inches closer to land, but three. People make that mistake all the time, even if you didn't.

 

Ernie Terrel is listed as a 82" inch reach. Maybe someone can take the
Liston / Terrell sparring film, and the Ali vs Liston & Terrell films and make some
educated analysis.

E.T.:
stance orthodox
height 6′ 6″ / 198cm
reach 82″ / 208cm

 

right. just trying to help.

 

Also Ali was listed between a 78" & an 80" wingspan. We should not say reach.
It is hard to have any certainty about Liston. But consider this...
He would need 4-6: more wingspan than Ali to reach 7'.
His arms did look longer. They would not need to be by much. Why?
Because he gets the rest of the way by having a broader chest, & having longer hands & fingers.
Both of which he undeniably had.

I do not know the circumstances of Bol's measurement Kevin.
Bol would be a case of no relatively broad chest, but his arms & hands went on forever.

 

Well, I love a good story. I'll settle on 83".