My granddad believes Charles could have defeated Liston

Since Rocky beat him, nobody will choose Ezzard.

I'm with you. I think it would be a better matchup than it seems. But unless it was a very green Liston, I think he overpowers Charles.

 

No, it's more because a gang of other, lesser fighters beat Charles, before and after Marciano did.

 

I'd confidentially bet on a prime Liston to take Ezzard Charles out.

 

I like Ezz Charles. He was similar to Evander Holyfield in his day. A really bad dude in the ring. I give him a helluva chance at unseating Liston.

 

Charles was probably at his "Hvywt" best for his title win against Louis, plus his 2 defenses against Walcott. From that point on he was more vulnerable.....though he did show lots of guts and skills in the 2 Marciano slugfests.

 

At his best Charles has a good shot of beating Liston. Charles the far greater boxer.

 

Charles was a great champion, classy guy and brave as they come. But I think prime to prime Liston wins. Charles gives it his all and Liston doesn't just over power him. But Liston does eventually stop him in the late rounds, it would have been one of Sonny s toughest fights imo.

 

Every generation thinks their fighters were the best.

 

The knee-jerk reaction is to pick Liston, but upon reflection it's not a sure thing. Considering Sonny's fights with Marshall and Machen cause me to pause and ponder. Liston's size, jab and power would be formidable, but Sonny's questionable endurance, his loss to Marshall, and Machen easily going the distance, make this an interesting match-up.

 

I'd choose Charles over Liston. Trust your granddad. He lived during the era and knows how each fighter was regarded in their own time (if he doesn't have an agenda that is).

 

So, if we can choose a single non-prime Liston fight as evidence he would lose, all things being fair, we can examine Charles' 25 losses as evidence to why Ezz would lose.

 

Charles at his heavyweight prime has the boxing skills to give Sonny problems. Liston`s big jab would be an issue as the fight wore on. It`s a good fight. How Charles is able to handle Sonny`s lefthook when it connects is the big question. P4P Ezzard Charles is the greater fighter but at heavyweight he may come up a little short.