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?
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
