Is Sonny Liston A Top Ten HW ATG?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ThatOne, Aug 30, 2023.



Is he?

  1. Yes

    66.7%
  2. No

    33.3%
  1. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, seems like it was very much a fight that could have gone either way.
     
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  2. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King Full Member

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    We weren't talking about the rematch.

    We're talking about if someone could've gone 3 years being fairly inactive with only 3 rounds of action and then having to defend their title against a prime Ali. Replacing Liston and living out his lifestyle (I won't even bring up Liston drinking and golfing). Oh and the fighter needs to be in his 30's with some sort of injury such as having shoulder problems. Which fighters beat Ali under those conditions?
     
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  3. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Plenty of fighters don't stay on the floor for 10 seconds...get to one knee ... then topple over again when the official counting for the knockdowns who is banging on the ring apron reaches 10.

    It was a terrible performance by Liston.

    Arguably the worst ever by a heavyweight challenger. I can't think of a more feeble attempt to win EVER.

    It's been nearly 60 years. People can stop making excuses for him .

    The second "fall down" when his opponent was all the way across the ring out of view. ... 10 seconds after he'd already gone down ... was even more pathetic than the first "fall down."

    Enough of the Liston worship.

    He was absolutely pathetic in Maine.
     
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  4. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    This wasn't an attempt to win the title, it was a fixed fight period.
     
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  5. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    That would require actual evidence of a fix.
     
  6. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    You keep ignoring the irregular/illegal conduct and behaviours going on AROUND Liston = relevant CONTEXT.

    I’ve already addressed ALL your points and, additionally, the significant context you’ve persistently omitted.

    Where applicable - I’ve provided specific and solid refutes.

    I’ve just read you repeat yourself again without converging on any counter points or duly acknowledging CONTEXT in any way, shape or form.

    Your analysis of Liston is slanted, treating him AS IF he was all alone in there, inside a vacuum.
     
  7. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Oh geez! you'd have to watch a Madonna movie to see a worse acting job, please!
     
  8. johnmaff36

    johnmaff36 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    hes certainly knocking around it. I have no argument with anyone who suggests just inside or just outside but thats the limit. No more than a top 7/8 and no less than a top 12/13
     
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  9. mirexxa

    mirexxa Heavyweight Champ Full Member

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    He very well could be top 10 or just outside of it
     
  10. mirexxa

    mirexxa Heavyweight Champ Full Member

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    Exactly the way I see it
     
  11. Spreadeagle

    Spreadeagle Active Member Full Member

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    Sonny Liston is definitely in my aii-time top 10 heavyweights.When I first became a boxing-fan
    Sonny was comfortably in my all-time top 5 but the emegence of other ATGs such as Larry Holmes
    and Lennox Lewis has moved Sonny into the top 6 to 10 group.
     
  12. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    You could make the case for a top ten spot, and you could make the case against it.

    Let's just say that he probably does better on a head to head list, than he does on a legacy one.
     
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