Liston in the 70s?

[LacedUp]

Sonny Liston to me is one of the greatest heavyweights of all times. Great long, powerful jab and a deadly right hand to follow.

He was more scientific than people give him credit for these days, and really, in his prime was a beast.

But how would he had faired in the 70s against the likes of Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Holmes, Shavers etc?

As great a fighter as Liston was, he didn't fight in a great era.

Would he have been a champion?

[IronDanHamza]

He'd beat everyone except Ali IMO.

Even then 70's Ali against 60's Liston would be a pretty good fight.

He'd stop Frazier and have one of the greatest fights of all time with Liston.

Norton, Shavers etc he beats fairly easily.

[Sugarj]

Sonny Liston to me is one of the greatest heavyweights of all times. Great long, powerful jab and a deadly right hand to follow.

He was more scientific than people give him credit for these days, and really, in his prime was a beast.

But how would he had faired in the 70s against the likes of Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Holmes, Shavers etc?

As great a fighter as Liston was, he didn't fight in a great era.

Would he have been a champion?

Prime Liston in the 70s would probably beat everyone except Ali (1972-1978) or Holmes (1977 onwards), both of whom would have very tough times enroute to close decision wins. Jimmy Young might cause problems over the distance too....

I think Liston does a 'Foreman' on Frazier and Norton and a 'Quarry' on Shavers.

The best fights would be against Foreman and Lyle. I'd fancy that Liston would outlast Foreman to a late TKO or decision win. Lyle would put up a great fight while it lasted.

[LacedUp]

He'd beat everyone except Ali IMO.

Even then 70's Ali against 60's Liston would be a pretty good fight.

He'd stop Frazier and have one of the greatest fights of all time with Liston.

Norton, Shavers etc he beats fairly easily.

You think Liston would beat a prime Smokin' Joe? I'm not so sure. Agree though it would be a great fight. You think Liston beats Foreman too?

Prime Liston in the 70s would probably beat everyone except Ali (1972-1978) or Holmes (1977 onwards), both of whom would have very tough times enroute to close decision wins. Jimmy Young might cause problems over the distance too....

I think Liston does a 'Foreman' on Frazier and Norton and a 'Quarry' on Shavers.

The best fights would be against Foreman and Lyle. I'd fancy that Liston would outlast Foreman to a late TKO or decision win. Lyle would put up a great fight while it lasted.

I doubt post Manila Ali could beat a prime Liston to be honest. Ali 71-74 might get away from him, after that I don't know.

Would be some cracking fights vs Foreman, Frazier and Shavers. He smokes Norton easily I think, but the rest would be amazing.

[Sugarj]

You think Liston would beat a prime Smokin' Joe? I'm not so sure. Agree though it would be a great fight. You think Liston beats Foreman too?



I doubt post Manila Ali could beat a prime Liston to be honest. Ali 71-74 might get away from him, after that I don't know.

Would be some cracking fights vs Foreman, Frazier and Shavers. He smokes Norton easily I think, but the rest would be amazing.

I certainly wouldn't argue with you over post Manilla Ali beating prime Liston. Ali always had that great chin and excellent distance stamina so I don't see him being stopped. But a decision loss wouldn't be a big surprise. I rate Liston very highly, the Ali fights in the 60s really didn't reflect what he was capable of in any respect....it is sad that they did so much damage for Liston's legacy.

[StarshipTrooper]

I rate Liston very highly, the Ali fights in the 60s really didn't reflect what he was capable of in any respect....it is sad that they did so much damage for Liston's legacy.

Are you shocked though? How many times have you seen posters around here say Duran was crap over "No Mas"? More times than I care to remember......

[Weltschmerz]

Liston was slow as molasses and had no skill (a bum). Klitschko's would humiliate him.

[LacedUp]

I certainly wouldn't argue with you over post Manilla Ali beating prime Liston. Ali always had that great chin and excellent distance stamina so I don't see him being stopped. But a decision loss wouldn't be a big surprise. I rate Liston very highly, the Ali fights in the 60s really didn't reflect what he was capable of in any respect....it is sad that they did so much damage for Liston's legacy.

I don't really remember post Manila Ali having any great outing. He certainly never looked himself again after that fight, and he'd lost his speed and headmovement almost completely by that point which is really a big part of what won him the first Liston fight (s).

They only really did damage to his reputation amongst casual boxing fans I think - because that's how they know him.

All time dream fight: prime liston vs prime frazier. Now that would be a fight.

[LacedUp]

Liston was slow as molasses and had no skill (a bum). Klitschko's would humiliate him.

Yeah, like Wlad humiliated Sanders maybe.

[Weltschmerz]

Yeah, like Wlad humiliated Sanders maybe.

Or like Wlad humiliated Haye.