Liston Ali Holmes Genuine Super Heavies

Liston was 6'1, not 6'0. Also I have a Ring Magazine issue May of 2003 where Chris Byrd states that he naturally weighs 195lb and has to eat himself up to 210lb for fights. Liston on the otherhand is a natural 220-230lber cutting down to 215lb for big fights. Clearly there is a difference in size here between a natural cruiserweight, and a natural heavyweight withe dimensions of a superheavyweight. Liston can be labeled "a freak of nature" with his measurements for a 6'1 man.

 

Some sources list him as 6'0, some as 6'1, some as 6'1/2". He sure looked 3 inches shorter than Ali to me. Byrd can say what he want; of course he wants to talk himself into a smaller man to lift the breath of his performances. Boxers do this all the time. And i don't really know what you mean by Liston being a "natural" 220-220lber? During his prime he was around 210lbs in the ring, was he not? Doesn't that make him a natural 210lber?

Also, wingspan is a deceiving measurement. How much did his 84" inch reach show against Ali, who has a wingspan of 79 to 82" depending on your source, but has 3 inches on him? Height is more important; Liston couldn't land a single jab on Ali all night. His actual reach didn't look longer than Williams' either..... who, by the way, at 6'3" 213lbs was no superheavyweight either, but as big as Haye who is being called too small today (not by me, btw).

 

You sound frustrated.

 

My take on it as well.