I would give Johanson a tiny chance to beat Liston. Liston was greater just as a slugger, could box better, & it's almost certainly a wrap when you consider the disparity in their chins. In fact Hauser's biography of Ali has a very young Ali boxing Ingo's head off-actually I think if it was for the title Ali could have taken him no later than 1962, just the kind of limited slugger Ali feasted on. A huge punch always is a danger, but Ingo just was not on the level of these ATGs.
Sonny was without doubt the best fighter in the world at one point. He was also an enigma. He was so talented that his career was halted a few times and was still able to restart and recapture serious form quite quickly.
Notice the footprints in the dust? Many prefer to leave it sunken, it's easier to steal ideas and pass them off as yours that way.
You should get that proverbial stick seen to. I absolutely agree with @JohnThomas1 ‘s elegant description of Liston in the clip. What’s more, it is in alignment with a number of sentiments already expressed in this thread - read from page 1 to be duly edumicated. Also, as impressive as it is, the abbreviated GIF still doesn’t do Liston complete justice. Liston virtually lands every text book punch he throws from opening bell, terrific fluidity - Bethea only tries to return punches on a few occasions but Liston calmly covers up beautifully. Sonny isn’t slow - he’s punching hard, fast and right on the money. I previously understood that Bethea was never knocked down or KO’d before or since his match with Liston and we all know that he lost several teeth in the bargain. However, I see an earlier post states that Bethea was dropped by Valdez - which I can’t reject or confirm but have no reason to necessarily disbelieve. The complete footage is an absolute treat - with both the Baer Bros and Louis in the ring, the Baers jokingly escorting Joe across the ring as if he was an old man. All three of yesteryears HWs not looking so small at all - of course, even by todays standard’s, Buddy at 6’ 6 1/2” would still be considered huge - and he was only a 1/2” shy of Tyson Fury’s actual height. And yes, this footage was kindly uploaded by @McGrain some 13 years ago. Here also is a nice, crisp colorised version of just the fight itself
So a soon to be champion throws punches properly and this makes you an "educated beast"? Your post goes senile halfway through, speak simpler for your low brow student.
Ah, did I say stick. Let’s revise to a 4” x 2”. How simple does one want? Cat on Mat simple? No such books in Temple. Low brow student shouldn’t try to participate in high brow discussion. More waxing on required - student practising far too much waxing off - has fried their brain. Confucius say (and he always right) lack of comprehension problem for student, not teacher. Dung beetle very long way from even trying pebble snatch challenge.
Was this the fight where the guys teeth were still inside the gum shield when the ref took it out? I heard Angie Dundee saw this and thought since we see the gun shield being removed by the ref it might have been this one?
The others among the Five Families will agree that Langford is the P4P GOAT. Journeyman92 will say nice things about Liston. And there will be the peace.
I particularly appreciate that final, long left hook of the clip. Liston pauses, just ever so slightly, waiting for Bethea to get upright and turn back to face him - adjusts his footing a little in the meantime - and times it perfectly. Class!
