Would Sonny Liston rule the HW division now?

I just checked Frazier. Frazier had 1 fight where he was taller, reachier and heavier (Dave Zyglewicz 32-4). Result: He won by KO 1.

Frazier had 5 fights where he was smaller, shorter and lighter. Result: 3 losses and 2 wins by decision.

How is Holyfield's record against opponents that are taller+heavier+reachier
5 wins (Only 1 by KO) - 5 losses - 1 draw

I checked Sam Langford. Langford's record is approx 200 wins to 50 losses (4:1 WinLoss ratio). In his fights where he was smaller+lighter+shorter he has 3 wins and 4 losses. AGAIN the same theme: You cannot overcome your body limitations just as Mike Tyson couldn't KO good tall opponents (except Lou Savarese if you want to call Savarese "good").

 

its the time that Sonny was around that seperates his attitude apart from heavyweights today. They were hungry , literally and were absolute killers in the ring. With that mindset Liston would take the heart away from any semi comfortable man (financially) today, Sonny would not necessarily rule, but he would make a definite presence felt and lash his wrath over 80% of the division, purely because he was the fruit of a much hardier plant that heavys around now. (Only the larger guys would trouble him a little because of size and mechanics, pound for pound yes, he would clean house in todays division..)

 

Yeah, maybe because they grew up in slums and were criminals like Sonny Liston.

 

I wouldn't necessary say that it was only 2 fights but compared with other ATGs like Louis he has a worse record:

Joe Louis opponents he KOed
Their average Win-Loss-Ratio (whole career): 2.5 to 1

Joe Louis opponents he won by non-KO
Their Win Loss Ratio: 3 to 1

Joe Louis opponents he LOST against
Their Win Loss Ratio: 5.5 to 1

As you can see Louis could KO somewhat bad opponents, won by non-KO against better ones and lost against the best.

Sonny Liston's opponents he KOed:
1.9:1 (worse than Louis)

Sonny Liston's opponents he won by non-KO
1.6:1 (worse than Louis)

Roughly said, Liston's win-opponents are only half as good as Louis'.

 

Has NOTHING to do with race.
Has NOTHING to do with hatred.

When you grow up in slums or other poor circumstances then maybe you ARE hungrier than others.
When you are a criminal then you maybe you ARE a killer in the ring.

It's a fact that Sonny was a criminal. It's a fact that Tyson was a criminal.

 

Oh, man, in for robbery but no criminal. Raped a woman but no criminal....

 

Oh yeah, the same Wlad who fell apart mentally against a guy 6'1 220 something in Lamon Brewster, I think we could all agree that Liston was a little more skilled than Lamon Brewster, wouldnt you say?

 

"When in doubt, chicken out"

Don't comment on things you know nothing about. You don't know anything about Sonny Liston's career with a comment like that, so best to shut up and read the opinions of those who do rather than stick your neck out and look silly.

 

The same Chagaev who struggled with Matt Skelton, and got took to an SD by John Ruiz??

No.

I like Chagaev, I think he is one of the better hw's around just now, but Liston is a different level. He would break Chagaev down without too much trouble.