Sonny Liston 'I Will Manage Floyd Patterson as Light-Heavyweight'

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012.


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  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    July 1963,

    Sonny Liston stated the he would he would 'Manage and Promote' former Heavyweight Champion
    - Floyd Patterson, if he would drop down to Light-Heavyweight, where he belongs.

    Liston stated, that he had hit his sparring partners harder than Floyd in their July 1963 rematch
    here in Las Vegas.

    Sonny Liston, 'I really didn't hit Floyd that hard, and he went down from my set up punches. He's
    not capable of fighting with big Heavyweights. If he wants, I will help him get the Championship at
    Light-Heavyweight. I will gladly manage him and promote him if he wants me. The offer stands.'
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    #1
  2. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Watch out Senor,

    Believe it or not, there is a brigade of Patterson groupies here. They aren't as large as the Ali group. but they are just as rabid.

    One of them keeps posting that fear of facing Patterson drove Marciano into retirement.
     
    BillB, Nov 12, 2012
    BillB, Nov 12, 2012
    #2
  3. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Sonny Liston,

    'We can set Floyd up with a couple of bouts versus Rodolfo Diaz and Wayne Thorton,
    and then go right after Willie Pastrano.'

    'Then defenses against Harold Johnson, a rematch with Pastrano, and whoever's in the Top 10.
    Floyd will be back on top within a year.'

    'I just can't see Floyd in there with Cleveland Williams, Zora Folley or Ernie Terrell'.
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
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  4. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Thing is, that would've been awesome :yep
     
    Flea Man, Nov 12, 2012
    Flea Man, Nov 12, 2012
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  5. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    I think Sonny was trying to get Floyd away from the Bolan Brothers,
    so he could get him back where he belonged, back down to 175 lbs.

    Sonny knew something. Get Floyd some confidence back. He could have
    ruled the Light-Heavyweight Division for awhile.

    Floyd Patterson vs. Bob Foster.........'a trilogy'
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
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  6. Lord Tywin

    Lord Tywin Guest

    Floyd would have been a legendary light heavyweight. But why fight at light heavyweight as a legend when you can make a fortune as a very good maybe even great heavyweight.

    Floyd made more as a heavyweight after losing the championship than he would have ever made in an entire career as a light heavyweight regardless of what success he may have had.
     
    Lord Tywin, Nov 12, 2012
    Lord Tywin, Nov 12, 2012
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  7. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Lord Tywin,

    I think Sonny was just trying to be a positive force for Floyd, who was at his
    lowest after the July 1963 bout.

    It may have been interesting to see Sonny manage Floyd to a Light-Heavyweight Championship,
    with a few trips back up to Heavyweight.
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    #7
  8. JAB5239

    JAB5239 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I've always thought Patterson would have been one of the greatest lightheavyweights ever. Would have been cool seeing him hook up with Liston to achieve that.
     
    JAB5239, Nov 12, 2012
    JAB5239, Nov 12, 2012
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  9. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Sonny may have taken Floyd all the way to 1970 as the Light-Heavyweight Champion.

    Throw in a couple of visits to the Heavyweght Division for some 'big bucks'.

    Floyd would have had opponents,
    * Willie Pastrano
    * Harold Johnson
    * Gregorio Peralta
    * Jose Torres
    * Dick Tiger
    * Mauro Mina
    * Eddie Cotton
    * Bob Foster
     
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Nov 12, 2012
    #9
  10. Lord Tywin

    Lord Tywin Guest

    Sonny had a lot of respect and gratitude for Patterson after Patterson bucked the system and gave Liston a shot at the title when nobody wanted him to and he could have easily ducked Liston on the basis of his shady reputation.

    That being said its laughable that the illiterate, non too bright Liston would have been able to manage or promote anyone much less Patterson successfully. He was a fighter, not a business man.

    Its one thing to throw out names of people you would match Floyd with. Its another to navigate the mine field of contract negotiations, matchmaking, and every other facet that would being Floyd's manager/promoter would entail. Liston for all his natural fighting ability was simply not up to the task.
     
    Lord Tywin, Nov 12, 2012
    Lord Tywin, Nov 12, 2012
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  11. FloydPatterson

    FloydPatterson Boxing Addict banned

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    Cool info, but Fearless Floyd looks danger in the eye.
     
    FloydPatterson, Nov 12, 2012
    FloydPatterson, Nov 12, 2012
    #11
  12. AnthonyJ74

    AnthonyJ74 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Liston were fighting today, a lot of people would say that Liston, too, belongs in the light heavyweight division, and not in the heavyweight division rumbling with the 240+ pounds guys!
     
    AnthonyJ74, Nov 12, 2012
    AnthonyJ74, Nov 12, 2012
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  13. Johnstown

    Johnstown Boxing Addict banned

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    Sonny i am sure was smarter than many illterate guys..and plenty street smart..but why would you pick him as your manager?
     
    Johnstown, Nov 12, 2012
    Johnstown, Nov 12, 2012
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  14. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Liston was rated as highly intelligent by people who knew him well.
    He had his flaws, and simply hadn't the schooling to read and write well, but was apparently a very shrewd and clever man.

    Some of the greatest promoters and managers have been of similar background.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 12, 2012
    Unforgiven, Nov 12, 2012
    #14
  15. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    You know that Liston was always much too big to be a lightheavy. Even cruiserweight when at his peak.
     
    red cobra, Nov 13, 2012
    red cobra, Nov 13, 2012
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