If Galento had replaced Ali in the 1960s, could he have reached a title shot against Liston?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flavius, Jun 2, 2026.


If Galento had replaced Ali in the 1960s, could he have reached a title shot against Liston?

  1. Yes, he would have beaten all of them.

    3 vote(s)
    17.6%
  2. No, he would have lost to some of them.

    14 vote(s)
    82.4%
  1. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    With inflation, it must be understood, Galento would be like 47 and a half tons. Which is very, very large. Even by today's standards.
     
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  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Tua is a poly, not a goombah.
     
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  3. Ioakeim Tzortzakis

    Ioakeim Tzortzakis "The David Haye of Loma's Gay" -Edgar Allan Poe Full Member

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    MaccaveliMacc and Seamus like this.
  4. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Yes. He has the size and power of David Tua, so yes.
     
  5. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    He can.
     
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  6. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    He might have
     
  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I’d like to ad that Galento’s chance for success in the 1960’s might have a lot do with what he’s allowed to get away with. He often fought dirty and went unpenalized.
     
  8. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Active Member Full Member

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    Both can be true. He won’t beat all the contenders and he might get a shot. If London Cooper and Chuvalo get title shots maybe Gelento can if we approximate him as about as good as Chuvalo then it could happen.
     
  9. Flavius

    Flavius Member Full Member

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    Imagine if Galento received a title shot and called Liston's wife and said to her:
    "I'll moida da bum."
     
  10. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    Galento had the marketability and size to go far in the 60s, keep in mind this is the same era Brian London managed to get ranked. A 230 pounder with an iron jaw, good power and a loudmouth would do just fine. I could only imagine the type of presser he'd get with Ali before getting decimated.
     
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  11. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    I'm not too high on Galento, but he was tough and he had a punch. Ali's early years weren't exactly filled with monsters. So, while I wouldn't put money on it, I'd say he has a shot at getting there.
     
  12. Makingweight

    Makingweight Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Galento was a mob favourite and Sonny was controlled by the mob, mythical match up that would of had a real outside interest!

    Had it of happened wonder if we would be looking back at a betting scandal or fix :(
     
  13. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think the important thing to remember here is there is 1 belt and would be ABC title fights like Machen v Jackson, Ingo v Machen, Machen v Folley I/II, Liston v Machen and Liston v Folley weren't for titles.

    Galento was a dirty fighter who might not be able to get away with his nonsense in the early 1960s. He did rely on this to a degree.

    All non major eliminators were 10 rounds or less and it's hard to win a bunch of those in a row. Galento lost 17 of his 26 fights in his early 20s but after that he still took 8 Ls and 3 Draws. Half of that would stop him from a title shot here.

    With Louis cleaning out the division and his best contenders retiring or leaving the scene Galento could lose to the best fighters and eventually it would be his turn if he beat everyone else. This time while the division is worse that won't happen.
     
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  14. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tony had some good wins - Otis Thomas-Nathan Mann- Leroy Haynes- Lorenzo Pack- Al Ettore- Eddie Blunt -Roy Lazer-
    all about the same size as the Liston era so yes. Liston's opponent prior to his title fight to Patterson was 5"7 Albert Westphal

    Tony had heart and would fight and also had some decent power. He could get a title shot in the Liston era.

    Liston was always listed as 6 ft 1/2 inch but unfortunately, he only had 1 successful title defense against Patterson, then ran into Ali

    Tony may go out on his shield, but he was not a quitter - Joe Louis would tell you that.
     
  15. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    I'll say this and I've been preaching it for years....Galento was the 1930s version of David Tua