Sonny Liston KO 3 Zora Folley

"Sonny Liston's sledge-hammer hands smashed Zora Folley to the canvas twice in the 2nd round and knocked him out at :28 seconds of the 3rd round of their scheduled 12 rounder in the Denver Coliseum. Folley used his boxing skill and swift punching hands to win the 1st round on the cards of all ring officials and the AP. Even after the first knockdown in the 2nd round, Folley rallied brilliantly and jarred Liston with a two-fisted attack. That only served to bring on Liston's sledge-hammer blows that decked Folley again. Folley tumbled face down onto the canvas for the final count in the 3rd. He never moved until seconds after the knockout." -Associated Press ."Sonny Liston's sledge-hammer hands smashed Zora Folley to the canvas twice in the 2nd round and knocked him out at :28 seconds of the 3rd round of their scheduled 12 rounder in the Denver Coliseum. Folley used his boxing skill and swift punching hands to win the 1st round on the cards of all ring officials and the AP. Even after the first knockdown in the 2nd round, Folley rallied brilliantly and jarred Liston with a two-fisted attack. That only served to bring on Liston's sledge-hammer blows that decked Folley again. Folley tumbled face down onto the canvas for the final count in the 3rd. He never moved until seconds after the knockout." -AP




6'1 213lb Sonny Liston Age 28

This content is protected

vs




6'1 200lb Zora Folley Age 27

This content is protected

 

What fights of a Prime Zora Folley have you seen? Folley in his prime was as slick and technical as they get.

 

Folley was in his prime when he fought Liston(note the fight took place in 1960). Try to watch some Folley film Late 1950s- very early 1960s. Its out there. Folley looks far faster, more slick, more mobile, much better jab and lean rock solid shape than the soft old Folley who fought Ali for the title.

Folley handspeed was fine, and he didnt need to be "fast" he was slick enough. Folley could punch hard enough....... you have to understand when you box and jab as well as folley does he doesnt need to be a knockout puncher. Folley was quite mobile in his own right, he moved around the ring in incredible rythm he looked like slick nick in there, he also had a fantastic jab. Yes Folleys durability was his biggest concern.

I disagree, Folley had the skills, jab, defense better than most heavyweight contenders throughout history. Folley wasnt small either, he was 6'1 200lb. Folley is certainly belongs in top 50 heavyweight of all time lists.

Folley proved he could beat big skilled powerful heavyweights. Folley knocked off 6'3 215lb Nino Valdez, 6'2 220lb Bob Baker, 6'3 208lb Mike Dejohn, 6'6 225lb Gerhad Zech, 6'7 Duke Sabadong, Bob Cleroux the big canadian.

Why do you keep critisizing his mobility when the only fight you ever saw of Folley on film is the soft slow old folley who fought ali?

First of all I already clarified that Folley was in his prime/peak when he fought liston. 2nd, He lost to cooper on a hometown decision( I have this fight on film) but he also knocked out cooper in 2 rounds in the rematch. Folley is not very durable i admit that, but he was defintley a bit on the green side when he tangled with Young Jack Johnson and a very quality fighter in Johnny Sumerlin.

No one is calling Folley a great fighter, but he is certainly up there as a very good heavyweight contender throughout history.

I dont know about that, I mean the only tall fast fighter he fought was Ali, and Folley was 35 years old, very soft, and much slower than he had once been. He fought 6'6 Terell who is an underated fighter IMO and lost, but I have not seen much film on this fight nor do I know the details. Folley at 6'1 was not that short. I agree Folley matches up best vs big sluggers.

 

IMO the 1960 Folley did have the footspeed, slickness, to stay away from liston. Trouble was Listons long arms caught up to him. So freakish arms could catch anyone.