How strong was Sonny Liston?

Uphill.

 

Both ways.

 

I heard it was 2 deer and a moose totaling 5 tons and the moose was still alive when Sonny 1st hoisted him up (but, the way I heard it, he expired quickly to the legendary "Liston Squeeze!")

 

Foreman tells a tale of Sonny filling a wheelbarrow with rocks and running up a hill three times, something George only managed the once. I say 'only' like I could do it. Nonetheless, the sheer bulk of his upper body is impressive and was probably honed in his childhood by the back-breaking work in the fields.

Sonny would have had that farm boy strength that Willard, Baer and Shavers had. Earnie credits some of his power to hoisting hay bales. It's a different kind of strength, more innate than the transient gym-honed strength we see more of now.

As for the Machen fight, I wouldn't read too much into that. Yes, Eddie was a master at neutralising an opponent's strengths but it might be worth having the thought in the back of our minds that Sonny was on a knockout streak and that might have been where bettors were laying their money. I don't know, and certainly have no evidence, but could it be that Sonny was told to win, just don't be too winning about it, maybe?

 

Hi Eddie.
Liking your observations about the " farm boy " strength , new and original, along the same lines, what huge arms and chest Fitzy has in the photo of him on the anvil, building natural strength and power. stay safe buddy.

 

Cheers Mike. It's something I have read about and scotches any myth that big Jess Willard wasn't strong because his physique was hardly toned, ripped, Ezzardesque - call it what you will.

One thing I have always thought about Sonny, as we're on the subject, is that his legs were comparatively skinny. Prior to one fight in the 60s (forget which) it was commented that he had 'no buttocks'. Maybe his upper body strength was there for the duration due to his childhood work but he had to be rigid about 'leg day' in training. Again, that's pure conjecture on my part and I welcome the views of those more knowledgeable than me if they can add a bit of actual factual knowledge to the discussion.

Stay safe yourself, Mike, and thanks for the habitually courteous posts you grace the forum with.

 

I've told this story before. Late 1970's my neighbor was an ex college football player and Air Force veteran. He was about 6'3" and incredibly strong. He routinely picked up massive rail road ties and placed them on his shoulders. Dude looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also sparred in boxing gyms and he in fact sparred with Sonny Liston who lived close by. He told me Liston hit so hard he refused to spar with him again. I could not imagine anyone putting a hurt on this guy, but Liston certainly did so.

 

This would make him by far the strongest man who ever lived.
And the 10,000 lb. deer maybe the most obese animal ever recorded.

 

If you aren't really experienced in specific types of clinch work, all that strength can be practically useless.

 

This stuff always comes up the only real measure we could have is if he lifted something more then another person. Jesus. Lol. In the ring, you can't really measure it, not really with reliability. Like Shane Mosley no doubt lifts MUCH more then Mayweather but watch there fight in the clinch, rough housing etc it's not a measure of strength to handle someone in the clinches.

 

Sharkey once turned back time superman style on a bike.

 

Also can people cut this farm strength sh1t out. As someone who lived on a farm and did hard labour everyday it doesn't give you super powers ffs.

 

Deer back then were more muscular because they did farm labor.

 

Thanks Eddie, that's truly humbling , always enjoy reading and chatting about our posts, till the next time.

 

That wasn't Sharkey. It was Cher-key.

If she could turn back time ...