I don’t know where you get Liston having a more proven stamina. Baer was a proven 20 round fighter! “Max Baer of California established himself as a leading contender for heavyweight honors in pounding out a 20 round decision over King Levinsky of Chicago, in a furiously fought battle featuring Reno's annual Independence Day celebration today. A vicious and almost ceaseless attack to the body brought Baer a popular decision. Levinsky stood up under a beating that would have dropped many another opponent”. - associated Press
Where are you getting the idea Baer had the skill to consistently throw right hand cross counters over the jab like Ali? Do you think he's going to be able to pull that off against Liston? Liston had a longer reach and a much straighter punch by the way. If Baer wants to end the fight with his teeth intact, he should probably avoid making any puns. If I were his promoter, I would advise him to keep the clowning to the bare minimum.
That you did. Actually though, when the camera caught Liston at just the right angle……..he still looked as mean as f*ck. No doubt Liston will promise to wear mink gloves so as to not cause any unnecessary damage to Baer’s features. Sonny was always a cruel but fair man. Post fight, Max will lament that he ended up seeing too many Sonnys for him to eclipse.
I was surprised to read that Eddie Futch described Max Baer as a clever fighter. who Futch said used footwork to trick his opponent to stand nearer to the ropes than he thought he was so max could then send over that long right hand when there wasn’t the room for his opponent to get away from it. He said Baer knew when to pull that trigger just as they ran out of room. Of course the trick was to make the guy think he had room when he didn’t. Baers reach was long. He could set up a counter, no problem. It was seeing Baer do it on film that gave Schmeling the idea to counter the Joe Louis jab.
I don't think anyone in boxing history would make Liston back up to the ropes and hesitate. That strategy of Baer's would backfire quickly.
Perhaps. Who knows? Sonny had good footwork himself. If you watch some fights of his Liston could move around when required. maybe Baer was that kind of requirement? There’s a big difference between braining Cleveland Williams and battering somebody like Max Baer so easily. I don’t think this is necessarily a slam dunk for Sonny.
I never said it would be a slam dunk easy win for Liston. I said Baer making Liston back up the ropes, on the back foot, hesitating scared of Baer until he's open for the right hand counter is comedy.
Liston would be the favorite because he was more consistent and had his jab as a anchor. He has the ability to win by stoppage or on points. But if anyone was to take the fight to Liston and win it would be Baer at his best. Baer had fast feet, great stamina, great durability, long reach, size, physical power and a lethal overhand, also had an aggressive winner mentality to sell out for the KO. I would be very nervous about putting my money on Liston. Where Baer falls short is his vulnerability to injuries and need for a KO win. If this goes to the cards, Liston would win on points. But how stable is Liston really? Was he exposed by Clay or was that just shady circumstances? Regardless, I think Liston is the favorite but not overwhelmingly so, Baer has a shot at winning.
Except Liston actually backed up all the time because he liked to control the range with his reach. Liston would step back against Big Cat's advances and punish him with the jab. Liston actually retreated to the ropes a few times in their exchanges. Big Cat's big mistake was going shy and boxing Liston at range, he got took apart. 4:30... Liston backs to the ropes and hesitates under a Big Cat offense attempt. This content is protected
Well I think it's a slam-dunk for Liston, to borrow the vernacular. I don't see this as terribly competitive, to further the point.