Leotis Martin,fresh from putting to rest the monster

Well, Ellis had already beaten him by that point, and the competition was really starting to pick up going into the 70's. Martin might have lingered around the ratings for a while, but I don't think he would have survived to make a huge impact.

 

I always liked Leotis; a fine boxer/puncher with power in both hands and decent set of whiskers.
He was actually coming on in the Ellis fight prior to the stoppage.
I think he would have been a top contender into the early/mid seventies tho he had already hit 30 years of age by the time he fought
Sonny...

 

Martin might have fought Joe Frazier next.

 

I don't see Martin doing much, once the seventies got going either. Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, and perhaps even Quarry would have dealt with him without too much difficulty.

 

IMHO I think he would match up fairly well with either Quarry or Norton.

 

Not a bad way to go out.

 

Martin's best stuff was his gameness, durability, and power. The skills and speed were solid. Leotis was one of those street tough Philly gym fighters. You could not intimidate him much.

Martin was not a quick or slick boxer. I think he does better vs slower footed fighters or fighters coming at him, as opposed to fighters who boxed and moved.

I think Norton beats Martin on points. Martin would have a chance vs Quarry or Frazier.

 

McVey: On the subject of Martin, did you ever see his fight with Thad Spencer, which was in London? I've heard it was a legendary ding-dong. Indeed, in 1977 Boxing News voted it 'Best UK fight of past 10 years'.

 

leotis caught him with a good one. he was a big puncher and tough fighter. old 40 year old sonny was dominating him up until the knockout. knocked martin down with a helluva left hook. good win for martin. even a very old sonny was still a dangerous fighter. no one wanted a part of even a late 1960s sonny liston.

 

Except Chuck Wepner :!:

 

I agree. Leotis had the mobility to upset Quarry and the power to get Norton on the back foot. While not a top 5 boxer, Martin had a good range of talents and could adapt well to different kinds of opponent.

I think he would have lost to the top-tier of heavyweights (Frazier, Ali, Ellis and some others) he could have been a very live contender. Liston was old in 1967, but he was still very impressive and would have beaten most contenders on that night.

 

I seem to remember Martin winning most of the rounds except the round he was knocked down in (by one of the best long left hooks I've ever seen), but it's been a long time since I saw that fight. :think

 

He would have hung around for a few years, then fade away.