How High Can Liston Be Reasonably Ranked?

On ability top 3-8, on achievement top 10-20.

 

Top 15 perhaps.

 

Liston did his best work as a contender. Although, during that time, he beat a lot of the best heavies in the world at the time. He can make anyone's top 10 list. Although on achievement as champion, you have to put him lower than that.

 

5th or 6th. He did lose his title to the greatest heavyweight in boxing history. The way he lost has been held against him from the time it happened. Who wouldn't have lost to that version of Clay/Ali?

Sonny Liston starting in the late 50's cleaning out the heavyweight division. Destroying a few contenders that Patterson's Manager Cus D'Amato wouldn't fight.

 

Resume wise 6-12 might be a decent debate imo. McGrain has him #8 so that's easily defended. You'd be very hard pressed arguing him as high as #5 and above that would be slim pickings.

H2H you might put a reasonable case forward for as high as #3 while others might argue for notably lower.

 

I think he has to be above Patterson, who has to be above Dempsey (IMO, of course) so that's no less than 12/13 anyway on my list.

 

Agreed buddy.

Best get your Rockyjim quote list ready as no doubt we will be treated to a re-run of how he quit etc, etc, etc.

 

I think there is a case for him to be in the top five heavyweights. When you look at KO record, opponents, opponents in prime, work rate, boxing ability, his jab. Start paining a picture of a what should be well respected fighter.

 

This is where we have to be concise. You mention jab, work rate and boxing ability so your list is H2H or almost certainly a combo of resume and ability i reckon?

 

Liston ranking to me took a tumble over the years. His resume was always on the thin side, but he was a big technical guy who can punch. That changed a bit in 1990's as he was no longer a menacing big man. Current fighters were just as big, or bigger and also technical. Now he's sort small for the heavyweight division and he never had fast hands. A bit cut and swelling prone too.

Still top 11-16 for me.

 

You can start that thread. 6-10th, no way does Liston have that type of resume. McGrain has him at #8? Well, he has Frazier at #5 if you're in a buying mood.

I agree he does better H2H than resume, but Like I said he's no longer the big bully, historically speaking. Lots of heavies from the 80's to current would blow away his competition.

 

3rd is highest he can be ranked.