Sharkey beat Godfrey who was prime at 29, but I think Sonny had better skills than Godfrey. I pick Sonny, but Jack might win quite a few rounds before he runs into something big.
Those who discount a Sharkey with his head put on straight don't know your ****. The guy was scientific, quick and strong. Not the biggest puncher, but neither was Marty Marshall.
Liston beat the dog **** out of Marty Marshall so badly in the 2nd fight that Marshall ran for 10 rounds in the 3rd fight. When asked why he ran in the 3rd fight, Marshall said "I never ever wanted to let him hit me again. The last time we fought, He hit me like no man should be hit". Marshall didn't win a round.
Yes he was. But liston was scientific, big, powerful, and much stronger. Do you think Sharkey was much better than Zora Folley, and Eddie Machen? I think their very comparable in skills and style.
No, sir, I aint picking Sharkey to win, but neither am I picking a blow out for Liston. Sharkey's problems all started from his neck up. If he arrived in prime tender, then it would be a good tussle. If he arrived not, he might last a few rounds.
Your right about that. Just re-watched Sharkey-Schmeling I, Sharkey looked fantastic. Was taking Max to school. His punches were razor sharp and fast, excellent skills all around. I also thought Sharkey looked great against Dempsey, was on his way to a clear points win and a shot at Gene Tunney's crown until Dempsey went Andrew Golota on him. Sharkey would have given Tunney all he could handle. Jack always claimed Tunney ducked him. Whether or not that's true, he would have given Gene his toughest fight at heavyweight.
Much better? Even with Sharkey at his best, I still see Zora and Machen giving him all he could handle. Zora and Machen were class A boxers/stylists
knocking out marshall was not that much of a big deal at that time since 18-1 embrell davidson already knocked marshall out more clearly than liston ever did. Twice! what puts things into perspective here is that the same embrell davidson was iced by archie moore in one round 9 weeks before embrell KOd marshall.