Sonny liston vs 70s heavyweights?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cobra1, Mar 16, 2011.


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  1. cobra1

    cobra1 Member Full Member

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    I think that as great as Ali was there wasn't an opponent he beat that liston couldnt beat. he beats patterson twice. had an exhibition with ernie terrell which he dominated. sparred with foreman who I think he would have beat. he definately beats frazier,quarry and lyle. norton would be a ko win for sure and im not even going to mention leon spinks and shavers would also get kod. the only one liston would struggle with imo is holmes. but i reckon a prime ali struggles with holmes.

    Is there an opponent you think liston couldnt beat that ali beat?
     
    cobra1, Mar 16, 2011
    cobra1, Mar 16, 2011
    #1
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  2. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Jimmy Young would have upset Liston..Jimmy Young...a fighter that Ali "beat".
     
    red cobra, Mar 16, 2011
    red cobra, Mar 16, 2011
    #2
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  3. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Liston would have had unexpected trouble with Bonavena.
     
    red cobra, Mar 16, 2011
    red cobra, Mar 16, 2011
    #3
  4. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Quarry would be a tough match for Sonny.....
     
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Mar 16, 2011
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, Mar 16, 2011
    #4
  5. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    1970 Sonny Liston vs. Floyd Patterson would have been interesting.
    Probably would have done well at the gate too.

    No 1st Round knock-out in this one.
     
    Il Duce, Mar 16, 2011
    Il Duce, Mar 16, 2011
    #5
  6. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yes he would have:thumbsup
     
    red cobra, Mar 16, 2011
    red cobra, Mar 16, 2011
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  7. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I agree that Jimmy Young would've been a very tough one for Liston. In the early/middle seventies,Sonny would beat Frazier,Norton,Lyle,Shavers and Quarry. He'd have lost to Ali. I give him a 50/50 chance with Foreman. Later on in the decade,he'd probably lose to Holmes.
     
    Stevie G, Mar 16, 2011
    Stevie G, Mar 16, 2011
    #7
  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Not feeling this Young vibe. I don't think he's any better than Machen.
     
    McGrain, Mar 16, 2011
    McGrain, Mar 16, 2011
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  9. cobra1

    cobra1 Member Full Member

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    I read an interview with ernie terrell and chuck wepner (who dropped ali in their fight) that they think a prime liston beats every one including ali. I think if you look at the way liston uses his 84 inch reach and upper body movement to box (as he was a much better boxer than foreman) i dont see jimmy young giving him as much trouble as he did foreman. and lets face it that ali fight was in 76. it was no prime ali. he performed well against norton also but i dont see it against liston. and as for bonavena the fight would be stopped within 10 rounds!
     
    cobra1, Mar 16, 2011
    cobra1, Mar 16, 2011
    #9
  10. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

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    If he's past his prime like he was in his comeback fights post Ali II then probably some of the contenders would upset him
     
    tommygun711, Mar 16, 2011
    tommygun711, Mar 16, 2011
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  11. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    So you consider Liston "Prime" against Ali? :huh
     
    Kalasinn, Mar 16, 2011
    Kalasinn, Mar 16, 2011
    #11
  12. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

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    no of course not but i'm using the version that actually fought bums and contenders after the first ali fight since the version that fought ail the first time was probably less shot
     
    tommygun711, Mar 16, 2011
    tommygun711, Mar 16, 2011
    #12
  13. Il Duce

    Il Duce Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Sonny born in 1928..:deal

    He clearly was one of the best heavyweight fighters, over 30 years of age.
    And a pretty good high-diver too.
     
    Il Duce, Mar 16, 2011
    Il Duce, Mar 16, 2011
    #13
  14. kenmore

    kenmore Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Sonny would have come out on top against all '70s heavyweights except Ali, Foreman, and Holmes. Maybe Frazier could have cut Sonny down, but I don't know. StoneHands: care to comment on this subject?
     
    kenmore, Mar 16, 2011
    kenmore, Mar 16, 2011
    #14
  15. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    On his best day he beats any of Ali's opponents including Foreman.

    The problem is that he did not have the mindset for longevity and would always have nosedived once he held the title.
     
    janitor, Mar 16, 2011
    janitor, Mar 16, 2011
    #15
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