I dug through my monthly IBRO journals and found a newspaper clipping of Liston vs Machen AP report post fight STINGING JABS AND BODY BLOWS LEAD TO A UNANIMOUS DECISION Liston defeats Machen in 12-rounder at Seattle-Portland Heavyweight is Floored by Low Blow in the 11th Seattle, Sept. 7 (AP)- Sonny Liston of Philadelphia won a twelve-round decision tonight over Eddie Machen of Portland,ORe, in a nationally televised fight. Liston weighed 211lb, Machen, 196. There were no knockdowns, but liston's wildly flailing fists landed low in the sixth and eleventh rounds. Machen went down for the 2nd solid smash below the belt and was given a minute to recover. The Referee, Whitey Domsted, took the eleventh round from liston from the errant blow. The decision was unanimous, the referee giving ever round except the 11th to the victor. The two judges also gave it to liston one by 2 points, and one by four. This content is protected The portlander's strategy was apparent from the opening bell. He retreated throughout the fight, forcing liston to move and turn and never present and opening target. There were severeal flurries of temper after liston landed his first low blow in the sixth. The fans immediatley swung to machen. Almost every blow to the body by the powerful philadelphian brought cries of "foul" from the stands. The Pre Fight Opinion was that machen had a good chance to win if the fight went beyond the distance. Liston however was in perfect condition and showed no signs of wearing at the finish. His only show of emotion was a slight smile afrer he slipped while throwing a punch late in the fight. Tempers flared in the fifth round when the fighters were wrestling along the ropes and they nearly exchanged punches after the bell. Listons best blows were a stinging left jab and occasional left and rights to the body at close range. machen scored best-but very rarely- with a left hook to the jaw as a counter to liston's right. Machen said he went the distance "without a right hand". The fighter said he injured his right arm while sparring with willie besmanoff during training last week and could not punch with it tonight. Liston said he was dissapointed that machen refused to mix it up. "You cant do anything when the other guy is running." - AP The Bold Red statement is for Chris Pontius who thinks liston-machen was controversial.
I agree, Machen looked sharp, one of the better ring technicians of all time. Folley Machen both excellent boxers with very modern styles. they would be top contenders in any era.
There is a fight report of Lewis-Holyfield I in which Ron Borges (a respected, experienced boxing writer) thought the draw was rightful. I might look it up to disprove those people who think the draw was controversial. You also gotta wonder how the fight went about if Machen had a right hand.
Funny how only machen reported the "right hand" injury, seems like a nice exuse. Hes lucky he didnt end up like his buddy zora folley.
