Why Didn't Liston & Chuvalo Fight?

I don't think so. Liston was no speed demon and Chuvalo was one tough SOB. Liston probably wins a decision unless he gets knocked out himself.

I trained with George Chuvalo and watched his routines from the 60's. It's amazing how people are so quick to write him off as an immediately loser, especially when using his fight with Ali as the base of the argument.

 

Flashback!
Ali-Liston 2, Maine May 65.
Chuvalo was a top 4 contender (granted a tough stud but probably only ranked that high because of the Doug Jones KO) and Patterson was right back on top of the world after impressive victories over Machen and Chuvalo.
I'd heard Chuvalo was in line for a first defense if Sonny beat Muhammad in the rematch (because, at the time, no one wanted to see a Sonny-Floyd 3)
After the Lewiston joke, George was screaming at Sonny for denying him a first defense opportunity.
Hey, I love George but, outside of the Quarry fight, a fluke IMO, Jerry was cutting him to ribbons, he has zero MAJOR wins in his career. Minor wins, not major.
But he still got his title shot shots so he shouldn't complain.
'Terrell'...Ali...Frazier?
Patterson? Foreman? Ali 2? All three copped clear victories....

IMHO Sonny would have brutally stopped George inside of 6....

 

some would argue that the terrell and patterson fights were extremely close

 

No reason to argue that the Terrell - Chuvalo was a close fight. Terrell won the first 11 rounds, Chuvalo the last four. The Patterson fight was closer. Chuvalo was a tought nut with a big heart, but he lost the big ones. I love watching the guy, but he would not have had a chance against Liston.

Woller

 

Yeah, I love hearing George speak these days...he's bright and wise...but I'm glad it's been pointed out that there really aren't many, if any, big wins on his resume...and an awful lot of losses, many of them to no-names. Sonny would've beaten him up.

 

I believe Chuvalo had the toughness and chin to take Liston's shots and quite possibly wear him down. If George was quick enough to land some serious body shots against the 60's Ali and have him pissing blood the next day, I don't think it's unreasonable to believe he could hurt and catch the much slower Liston, especially to the body.

I do agree with you though. Liston's jab is deadly and heavy, but a whole lot slower than Ali's, plus the fact that Liston would be there for Chuvalo to hit. He wouldn't run because he doesn't have the speed to dance, and that's not his style.

 

Chuvalo beat Terrell that night. All Ernie could do is hold and jab. Why did most of the press and writers at ringside go to George's corner after the fight to congratulate him?

 

Scrap Iron Johnson caused an aging Sonny to engage his rarely utilized reverse gear, while Chuvalo made even Foreman give ground by steadfastly standing his own until the Canadian got his bell rung. Liston would be the one backing up here, which could be a taxing and exhausting exertion for Sonny. He boxed well enough in retreat to stop Scrap Iron, but George would be on a different level. Sonny should win, but it could get interesting as the rounds mounted up.

 

Agree to disagree McVey.

I think Chuvalo would bust him up too. It definitely wouldn't be a one sided bust-up beat down as you're politely suggesting. Liston would be there to hit and you're making it sound as if he's lighting compared to Chuvalo. George wanted every part of Liston and was enraged after the second fight with Ali, whether it was a fix or not. Do you think Liston would have had an easy fight with a hungry, motivated Chuvalo would was arguably robbed against Terrell?

Yes, George is not known for his speed, but neither was Liston. Both men were tough, but I think you're not giving George enough respect as a heavyweight. Chuvalo would get to his body but not without eating some heavy jabs and rights, I'll give you that. I think the mindset everyone uses for any discussion with George and heavy punchers stems from his fights with Frazier and Foreman. George to this day believes his fight with Foreman was stopped way too soon.

 

this pretty much sums up my opinion. maybe chuvalo COULD back liston up and make it interesting at times, but 9/10 it doesn't happen.

 

OK, respect.

You could be totally right. Chuvalo might have gone down, but it's not like Foreman was pummelling him. Perhaps you could argue the stoppage either way, kinda like the first Tyson vs Ruddock fight.