Marciano Vs Liston

[gridiron]

Jesus, Rocky Marciano takes more of a beating in these fantasy matchups than he ever took in the ring.

If feather fisted Ali could knock Liston the **** out - TWICE - what do you think the Rock would do to him???

The 1950's heavy champions were really light heavies/cruisers.

About Sonny, from an earlier thread:
According to his wife, a few seconds into the 2nd meeting (against Ali) Sonny realized he couldn't beat his opponent and just took an easy way out. Ali and Liston were supposed to clash in the autumn of '64, reportedly Liston trained very hard at that moment. But Ali had to visit the hospital (hernia), and the fight was postponed. Receiving the news, it seems like Sonny lost some of his spirit.

Though, his spirit came back after the Ali disgrace, as he won his next 14 bouts. When Liston won the World Title in 1962, it was the end of the era of 'lighter' heavyweight champs.

Marciano today would have been a good cruiserweight. But he wouldn't have stand a chance either against the Klitschkos or Liston.

[Knighte]

I respectfully disagree. As you alluded, Sonny Liston was a shrinking violet with Ali, and likely would have been against anybody he percieved as a threat (i.e. Marciano).

Bullies are like that for some reason.

Marciano TKO 8

[gridiron]

Bullies are like that for some reason.

Difference of opinions, OK.

But, Liston wasn't a bully, he was bullied. He got such a whipping from his father that he was forced to ran away from home at the age of 13. From then on, he was on his own.

People who knew him always talked about him as a humble character.

[Kid McCoy]

Liston a bully and a coward, eh? I don't see the need for ad hominem attacks on a fighter in a fantasy match-up.

There have been plenty of great boxers who were more objectionable than Liston. Monzon was a bully, LaMotta was a bully, PBF is a bully. Does that mean they have no chance of beating someone in a one-off fight? Of course not.