Liston vs Marciano A real anayslis

[SuzieQ49]

Honestly no offense guys but I heard some horrible reasons from both sides of why which fighter would win, i was actually very unimpressed with the responses. We had people picking liston to win early cause of Foreman/frazier(a absolute horrible analysis), and one poster even tried to claim cleveland williams had a glass jaw(LOL despite papers describing williams as "tough and durable", and williams was only floored by one fighter ATG puncher liston during a 9 year period 1957-1966...if williams has a glass jaw wlad klitschko must have no jaw!!!).....and then i heard arguements of marciano beating liston because he was "too tough" too much "heart" once again HORRIBLE arguements from both sides.


lets be real boxing analyists here and break this down stylistically shall we......? ok lets proceed




Point 1: i dont see liston stopping marciano. marciano had an amazing ATG chin and he refused to quit no matter what. he had the balls of a navy seal trainee refusing to give up during Hell Week. Marciano never saw stars during his career nor was he staggered badly on film EVER. I think only joe louis and mike tyson guys with combination punching/one punch power/ terrific handspeed are the only ones capable of putting away a marciano.

Point 2: This fight is going the distance. This is not a foreman-frazier type battle.....both foreman and frazier were constant non stop moving forward wicked aggresive fighters causing a clash in styles. NOT SO the case with liston and marciano. Liston was actually quite controlled cool and calm like tom brady in the pocket. Liston almos never attacked his opponent until his opponent "attempted" to open up on him, liston usually loved to sit back on the outside. Marciano was another who was not a predictable bull like dempsey and frazier......marciano loved to patiently move in slowly and surely hiding behind a high gaurd sunk underneath in his tricky crouch trying to figure his opponent out. marciano hardly ever attacked unless he saw an opening. I expect marciano-liston to be fought passivley early as both feel eachother out, and for the fireworks to start around round 3 and 4.... Both marciano and liston have the stamina to fight 15 hard paced rounds and both have shown tremendous ability to fight through pain(liston finished the distance with a broken jaw, and came back to knockout a top contender who broke his nose early........marciano with his nose literally torn off and near bleeding to death knocked out a hall of famer with the fight close to being stopped.)



The FIGHT!!!!


if u watch the films marciano and liston were very patient, passive, cool. they did not wildly bull in, they calculated there opponents out of range and slowly made there way in, marciano liked to sit back and feed off his crouch bending at all angles, and liston liked to sit back and jab his opponents head off. So Like I said this fight starts off slow early with lots of clinching liston trying to indimidate rock and hit with the clinch with rocky never backing down showing hes not scared as he pounds away at listons shoulders and gut. however by round 3 the fireworks start getting going with marciano crashing a looping overhand right off listons head to stun him and send him a wakeup call. Liston retaliates and it turns into a hagler-hearns type round 1....I see liston dropping marciano with a short left hook inside for 3. marciano gets up snorting like a bull and comes back to stagger liston and have him near stoppage toward the end of the round. fans rise out of there seats to cheer. the pace continues in the next 5 rounds with slightly less intensity, with liston really marking up marciano badly with his jab, and marciano breaking liston down with his power punches on the inside. Liston is well ahead though, because he is landing more punches and just as hard punches along with his jab. listons body attack and short hooks and immense strength seem to make marciano unable to be his normal effectiveness on the inside, and he is having trouble getting inside because of listons jab and 84" long arms firing away. The referee goes to rocks corner and tells him if he might stop the fight soon, and rock tells him to go fuck himself, that hed kill him if he stops it. Round 10 the tide turns, marcianos wearing down tactics incredible stamina and punchrate start to take over and liston is showing his first signs of real distress. round 12 listons with a swollen face follows his cornera advice of staying on the outside and boxing marciano continueing to land his jab....the pace slows somewhat as both are tired, lots of clinching and wrestling around. marciano and liston are two of the strongest heavyweights we have ever seen and the inside battle is barn burner. Round 14 and 15 are great, liston comes out with a 2nd wind outboxing and outmuscling marciano to win the round and hurt rock with a uppercut. round 15 the fights close but marcianos trainers tells him " you need a knockout to win rock." rocky with everything he has steps up the pace in 15, hurting liston badly in round 15 with a overhand right but with listons size and strength over the past 14 .marcianos arms are tired and weary though and he doesnt pack a knockout punch anymore. and listons heavy jab is less effective as marciano is now dipping ducking slipping the jab in his crouch and pounding away..but liston is knows he needs to see the bell, and it turns into a ******* both throwing everything they got in close quarters and mid range unleashing there artillery both are staggered, and liston gets in one good uppercut at the bell that makes marciano freeze.DING!!!! BELL SOUNDS the fans stand up and roar in approval of a great fight. marciano and liston hug eachother, a new found respect for eachother. The scorecards..........9-6 Liston 8-7 Liston 9-6 for the winner by Unanimous decision........SONNY LISTON!!!



FYI........As for the fools degrading competition, both liston and marciano cleaned out their division more than any heavyweight champion in history arguebably. both not only beat, but DOMINATED 4 out of the top 5 heavyweights of there era....and while marciano beat great fighters and # 1 contenders, liston beat very talented top contenders in their mid 20s at the peak of there careers coming off great win streaks. you cant ask for more from either of them.

[SuzieQ49]

bump

[OBCboxer]

I agree with that whole analysis, though a TKO in favor of Liston would not be so out of the question. The UD for Liston is the most likely scenario though. Liston would simply outland Rocky coming in primarily with his jab. After that everything else would follow.

[ironchamp]

The problem with this thread is that it starts off with the premise that the "unimpressive" responses in the other Marciano vs. Liston thread have undermined the topic.

You further state "lets be real boxing analysts and break this down"

So far so good.

But then you immediately state: marciano had an amazing ATG chin and he refused to quit no matter what. he had the balls of a navy seal trainee refusing to give up during Hell Week. Marciano never saw stars during his career nor was he staggered badly on film EVER.

This is more or less the same rhetoric that's on the other thread.

First of all Marciano was was not immune to 1 Punch KD's as evidenced by the Walcott and Moore fights. He can be hurt and he can be dropped without extensive punishment preceeding it. I think his chin is solid but not granite
I'd put it the same level as Frazier. Tier 2.

Another thing is Sonny Liston never went 15 rounds as a professional. You're analysis is no different than some of the responses that I've seen on the other thread with the expception that it seems to be written with the intention of boosting up both fighters.

Not trying to be offensive or anything but your input didnt require a second thread it would have blended right in with the other one.

[Muchmoore]

I rate Liston highly, in my top 7 all time, but I don't see him surviving Marciano if he can't put him away within the first half of a 15 rounder.

You mentioned how Marciano was patient, calmly stalking his prey sort of. But if he did that against Liston, his head would be torn off by Listons jab and he'd be out of there within a few rounds, iron jaw or not. Also, in your analysis you said both would be tired by the 12th/ 13th and the pace would slow, I don't see this happening, at least for Marciano. Marcianos stamina was simply too great and he would be dictating the action and setting the pace in the championship rounds if it lasted that long.

Listons chance would be to try to bomb Marciano out within 6-8 rounds. No one stops him late, and I don't see him having the stamina/heart (I know I'll catch shit for this, but he did quit on his stool for the world championship and while his stamina was elite for a puncher it wasn't close to Rockys) to last the distance if Marciano survives. Liston would quit on his stool after an absolute slugfest going into the 14th if it lasted long.

That being said, I'd pick Liston by KO within 6 rounds but it would be a tough fight and a very dangerous fight.

[SuzieQ49]

First of all Marciano was was not immune to 1 Punch KD's as evidenced by the Walcott and Moore fights. He can be hurt and he can be dropped without extensive punishment preceeding it. I think his chin is solid but not granite
I'd put it the same level as Frazier. Tier 2.


1. Notice how I picked liston to floor marciano during the fight. also take note marciano was only down for flash knockdowns unfazed, he was right back up at the count of 2..and the moore knockdown was an off balance issue.

2. You mention "hurt". when did you ever see marciano hurt on film?

[Bummy Davis]

This I think would be a very togh battle early on and I think from round 1-3 is where the slower starting Marciano has to make the fight differcult for Liston. Marciano had a subtle defence and was not open to the Jab and Liston would have to feel some of Marciano's power early to keep him at bay. I think Rocky has to be cautiously agressive and fast to counter and then after the 3rd round start picking up the pace a little at a time. I see both men bruised and welted going into the 10th rd but then I see Liston starting to show a slow down and Rocky picks up the pace with body shots and some well placed hooks and rights. liston lands some good ones along the way, stunning and rocking Marciano but Marciano's awkward position and 2 fisted flurries eventually wear Sonny down. the fight is dead even at the end of the 12th round but Rocky the 14th start out with Rocky out punching Liston 4 to one...Sonny trys to rest one ropes looking for the big shot but at this point when he lands Marciano comes back with a flurrie. The 15th Round Liston needs to even things up but he can hardly move, he starts out the round with a decent flurrie but Rocky comes back like a lion, Sonny resting along the ropes gets stunned by a right hand he trys to hold on but Rocky doubles up with the hook. Liston has no legs and leans with his back on the ropes, rockky doubles him up with some brutal body shots, Listons face(eyes) is swolen and Marciano red, bruised and swolen, there is a minute left in the round and Rocky lands the hook and a roundhouse right(like the Layne shot) Liston leans foward and falls...the Ref starts to count as Sonny trys to Rise to one knee the count reaches 10...winner Rocky Marciano 15th rd KO 50 WINS 44 ko'S

[SuzieQ49]

Another thing is Sonny Liston never went 15 rounds as a professional. You're analysis is no different than some of the responses that I've seen on the other thread with the expception that it seems to be written with the intention of boosting up both fighters.

Never had too. however he went 12 fast paced rounds vs eddie machen without tiring


Not trying to be offensive or anything but your input didnt require a second thread it would have blended right in with the other one.

Like Sweet Dude

[Sweet Pea]

I pretty much agree a Liston UD is the most likely scenario. He wasn't a brawler or swarmer so I doubt he's even looking early for the KO, and Marciano's in-fighting would tie Liston up quite a bit, probably giving Rock the advantage in those instances, when the fight got into close range. Liston has the clear outside advantage though, and I do agree that he'd probably put Rocky down. I'll say about a 10-5 type Decision in Liston's favor. Clear win, but competitive.

[fists of fury]

Never had too. however he went 12 fast paced rounds vs eddie machen without tiring


But those extra 3 rounds can make all the difference in the world Suzie. Those were the championship rounds.

I like your post, but we can't discount (assuming the fight does go that long) the enormous effect on the fight those extra 3 rounds can have.

[Mendoza]

I pretty much agree a Liston UD is the most likely scenario. He wasn't a brawler or swarmer so I doubt he's even looking early for the KO, and Marciano's in-fighting would tie Liston up quite a bit, probably giving Rock the advantage in those instances, when the fight got into close range. Liston has the clear outside advantage though, and I do agree that he'd probably put Rocky down. I'll say about a 10-5 type Decision in Liston's favor. Clear win, but competitive.


I things a stoppage is more likely than a decision. Rocky could only fight one way, and he was not the type to just go the distance without trying to win.

Liston hits much harder than Walcott or Moore did, and unlike those two, when Sonny landed a good one the end wasn't far.

I would give Rocky say a 20% chance to win via stoppage, Liston quitting or DQ, and say maybe a 10% chance of winning on a decision.

[ChrisPontius]

I'm glad we got rid of the fake analysis now.

[punchy]

Excellent post and analysis SuzieQ but I think Marciano edges Liston not the other way around in a grueling war.

[Bummy Davis]

I think it boils down to stamina, work rate and heart because both men had power....Walcott, Moore, Layne were punchers. Sonny could hit harder than all of them but Walcott and Moore were pinpoint punchers,Sonny was more of a clubber...Still WHO did Sonny fight that had the stamina,2 fisted Power and workrate that would compare to Marciano....I see it as a battle of attrition...possibly Marciano's toughest fight, possbly not....I see Rocky coming on strong and revving up the pace of the fight in pockets and winning a UD or a stop between 9-15

[SuzieQ49]

Liston hits much harder than Walcott or Moore did, and unlike those two, when Sonny landed a good one the end wasn't far.

I would give Rocky say a 20% chance to win via stoppage, Liston quitting or DQ, and say maybe a 10% chance of winning on a decision.

if we go with ur logic, then how come u give jack dempsey a 50% chance vs liston? doesnt make sense considering what firpo did to dempsey, liston was far greater puncher better accuracy and better boxer than firpo?







and unlike those two, when Sonny landed a good one the end wasn't far.




archie moore was the all time knockout king, when he landed the end WAS near. not to mention moore and walcott put marciano down for brief flash counts, marciano unfazed just off balance and angry caught with fast pinpoint shots. joe louis 6'2 215lb landed a flush left hook at the end of round 1 that marciano took very well.

[Muchmoore]

But those extra 3 rounds can make all the difference in the world Suzie. Those were the championship rounds.

I like your post, but we can't discount (assuming the fight does go that long) the enormous effect on the fight those extra 3 rounds can have.

Exactly, also there's a massive difference fighting Marciano for 15 rounds, and fighting 12 rounds with Eddie Machen.

[SuzieQ49]

& who the fuck are you? Get back to the real discussion, noob.


LOL at noob. I been a regular here for 3 years, your the one who joined less than a month ago!! LMAO

[Muchmoore]

& who the fuck are you? Get back to the real discussion, noob.

:lol:

[Olu G. Rotimi]

Marciano was overrated and fought in comparatively weak era. If Light heavyweight great Archie Moore could put him on the deck and Jersey Joe Walcott imagine what Liston would have done to him. Style wise it would have been an execution.

[Tim in Tx]

The great thing about boxing, unlike say MMA, is that a fighter is given a ten count to show how much heart and determination they have. In a fight like this, you know there are going to be brutal blows landed on both sides. There will be blood on both men, and for both fighters there will likely come, at some point in this fight, that soul searing, gut check moment of, 'Can I do this, can I get off this canvas, can I possibly go on?' At that pivotal moment, if you were forced to bet everything on one fighter to get up, one fighter to perservere, one fighter to win, who would you bet on? My money's on the Rock.

[Bummy Davis]

Marciano was overrated and fought in comparatively weak era. If Light heavyweight great Archie Moore could put him on the deck and Jersey Joe Walcott imagine what Liston would have done to him. Style wise it would have been an execution.

Yea but look what Ali did to Liston, made him quit 2 times and Leotis Martin stretched him out event though Sonny was old,179lb Marshall broke his Jaw...when the going got ruff, Sonny got going....Marciano picked it up a notch or 2

[JIm Broughton]

Whenever we compare great fighters from different eras we can't ignore the fact that each fighter probably never faced an opponent quite like the other and this is certainly true in this case. Liston never met a Marciano type opponent and likewise for Rocky. With that being said I lean toward Liston in this matchup. When we think of Liston we tend to go back to his 2 fights with Ali. This isn't completely fair. Let's instead look at the prime Liston who pretty much decimated the division and was avoided for some time by Patterson. That Liston may have been too much for Marciano. With his 85" reach (compared to Rocky's 68" reach) excellent and punishing jab, underated boxing ability and speed not to mention crushing power, Sonny probably would have been too much for Rocky. Marciano never met an opponent with Sonny's size and power period. One rap against Rocky was that he never met a puncher in his own class, at least a young puncher in his prime. That's not his fault but it's true nonetheless. If Sonny gets his jab going and on target, I can't see Rocky getting by it and getting close enough to do any damage. Rocky had a good chin but could he take flush bombs from someone who hits as hard as Liston? Moore dropped him and hurt him, even Rocky admitted this. If referee Kessler didn't lose his head and give Rocky a standing eight count who knows what might have happened? And if Moore can hurt Rocky imagine what Liston would do to him. Could Rocky hurt Sonny? Sure he could IF he can get close enough and land often enough but again I don't see it happening. Rocky's best chance is to drag Sonny into the later rounds and use his superior stamina to hopefully land enough to hurt Sonny and force a stoppage. But when you have 2 bombers in the same ring, the chances of a long fight are small which is why in a fight inside the distance between these 2 I favor Listron.

[prime]

Extremely close, but, with due respect to the Rock, Liston should win.

Liston could box, move, and stay ahead with the jab against the smaller man; his tighter and faster punches give him a slight edge in a short-range firefight; he has a chin, stamina and courage.

Marciano would never give up, but I see him a step behind and unable to win on points. Perhaps, perhaps, he could break Liston down towards the 15th, for one of his legendary victories, but I see Sonny having enough to edge out a decision.

[groove]

Whenever we compare great fighters from different eras we can't ignore the fact that each fighter probably never faced an opponent quite like the other and this is certainly true in this case. Liston never met a Marciano type opponent and likewise for Rocky. With that being said I lean toward Liston in this matchup. When we think of Liston we tend to go back to his 2 fights with Ali. This isn't completely fair. Let's instead look at the prime Liston who pretty much decimated the division and was avoided for some time by Patterson. That Liston may have been too much for Marciano. With his 85" reach (compared to Rocky's 68" reach) excellent and punishing jab, underated boxing ability and speed not to mention crushing power, Sonny probably would have been too much for Rocky. Marciano never met an opponent with Sonny's size and power period. One rap against Rocky was that he never met a puncher in his own class, at least a young puncher in his prime. That's not his fault but it's true nonetheless. If Sonny gets his jab going and on target, I can't see Rocky getting by it and getting close enough to do any damage. Rocky had a good chin but could he take flush bombs from someone who hits as hard as Liston? Moore dropped him and hurt him, even Rocky admitted this. If referee Kessler didn't lose his head and give Rocky a standing eight count who knows what might have happened? And if Moore can hurt Rocky imagine what Liston would do to him. Could Rocky hurt Sonny? Sure he could IF he can get close enough and land often enough but again I don't see it happening. Rocky's best chance is to drag Sonny into the later rounds and use his superior stamina to hopefully land enough to hurt Sonny and force a stoppage. But when you have 2 bombers in the same ring, the chances of a long fight are small which is why in a fight inside the distance between these 2 I favor Listron.

Excellent post :good

[Olu G. Rotimi]

Yea but look what Ali did to Liston, made him quit 2 times and Leotis Martin stretched him out event though Sonny was old,179lb Marshall broke his Jaw...when the going got ruff, Sonny got going....Marciano picked it up a notch or 2

Marciano is no Ali thats for sure. People forget how good Liston actually was. If Ali had not been around Liston and George Foreman two big bad monsters who nobody else could have beaten would be viewed as the greatest ever.

[Maxmomer]

Yea but look what Ali did to Liston, made him quit 2 times and Leotis Martin stretched him out event though Sonny was old,179lb Marshall broke his Jaw...when the going got ruff, Sonny got going....Marciano picked it up a notch or 2

Are you trying to degrade Sonny's toughness by stating that he fought on despite a broken jaw? Cause you're not doing a very good job of it.

[ChrisPontius]

Marciano is no Ali thats for sure. People forget how good Liston actually was. If Ali had not been around Liston and George Foreman two big bad monsters who nobody else could have beaten would be viewed as the greatest ever.

That's just speculation... Liston and Foreman are the types of fighters that look immortal but then lose unexpectedly, and lose badly. Tyson had no Ali around but he was humiliated by Douglas. Young beat Foreman later on.

[Olu G. Rotimi]

That's just speculation... Liston and Foreman are the types of fighters that look immortal but then lose unexpectedly, and lose badly. Tyson had no Ali around but he was humiliated by Douglas. Young beat Foreman later on.

I was not talking of Tyson was I. I was referring to Liston and Foreman. The young Tyson the unfinished masterpiece of the late Cus D'Amato was something really special.

[mcvey]

Honestly no offense guys but I heard some horrible reasons from both sides of why which fighter would win, i was actually very unimpressed with the responses. We had people picking liston to win early cause of Foreman/frazier(a absolute horrible analysis), and one poster even tried to claim cleveland williams had a glass jaw(LOL despite papers describing williams as "tough and durable", and williams was only floored by one fighter ATG puncher liston during a 9 year period 1957-1966...if williams has a glass jaw wlad klitschko must have no jaw!!!).....and then i heard arguements of marciano beating liston because he was "too tough" too much "heart" once again HORRIBLE arguements from both sides.


lets be real boxing analyists here and break this down stylistically shall we......? ok lets proceed




Point 1: i dont see liston stopping marciano. marciano had an amazing ATG chin and he refused to quit no matter what. he had the balls of a navy seal trainee refusing to give up during Hell Week. Marciano never saw stars during his career nor was he staggered badly on film EVER. I think only joe louis and mike tyson guys with combination punching/one punch power/ terrific handspeed are the only ones capable of putting away a marciano.

Point 2: This fight is going the distance. This is not a foreman-frazier type battle.....both foreman and frazier were constant non stop moving forward wicked aggresive fighters causing a clash in styles. NOT SO the case with liston and marciano. Liston was actually quite controlled cool and calm like tom brady in the pocket. Liston almos never attacked his opponent until his opponent "attempted" to open up on him, liston usually loved to sit back on the outside. Marciano was another who was not a predictable bull like dempsey and frazier......marciano loved to patiently move in slowly and surely hiding behind a high gaurd sunk underneath in his tricky crouch trying to figure his opponent out. marciano hardly ever attacked unless he saw an opening. I expect marciano-liston to be fought passivley early as both feel eachother out, and for the fireworks to start around round 3 and 4.... Both marciano and liston have the stamina to fight 15 hard paced rounds and both have shown tremendous ability to fight through pain(liston finished the distance with a broken jaw, and came back to knockout a top contender who broke his nose early........marciano with his nose literally torn off and near bleeding to death knocked out a hall of famer with the fight close to being stopped.)



The FIGHT!!!!


if u watch the films marciano and liston were very patient, passive, cool. they did not wildly bull in, they calculated there opponents out of range and slowly made there way in, marciano liked to sit back and feed off his crouch bending at all angles, and liston liked to sit back and jab his opponents head off. So Like I said this fight starts off slow early with lots of clinching liston trying to indimidate rock and hit with the clinch with rocky never backing down showing hes not scared as he pounds away at listons shoulders and gut. however by round 3 the fireworks start getting going with marciano crashing a looping overhand right off listons head to stun him and send him a wakeup call. Liston retaliates and it turns into a hagler-hearns type round 1....I see liston dropping marciano with a short left hook inside for 3. marciano gets up snorting like a bull and comes back to stagger liston and have him near stoppage toward the end of the round. fans rise out of there seats to cheer. the pace continues in the next 5 rounds with slightly less intensity, with liston really marking up marciano badly with his jab, and marciano breaking liston down with his power punches on the inside. Liston is well ahead though, because he is landing more punches and just as hard punches along with his jab. listons body attack and short hooks and immense strength seem to make marciano unable to be his normal effectiveness on the inside, and he is having trouble getting inside because of listons jab and 84" long arms firing away. The referee goes to rocks corner and tells him if he might stop the fight soon, and rock tells him to go fuck himself, that hed kill him if he stops it. Round 10 the tide turns, marcianos wearing down tactics incredible stamina and punchrate start to take over and liston is showing his first signs of real distress. round 12 listons with a swollen face follows his cornera advice of staying on the outside and boxing marciano continueing to land his jab....the pace slows somewhat as both are tired, lots of clinching and wrestling around. marciano and liston are two of the strongest heavyweights we have ever seen and the inside battle is barn burner. Round 14 and 15 are great, liston comes out with a 2nd wind outboxing and outmuscling marciano to win the round and hurt rock with a uppercut. round 15 the fights close but marcianos trainers tells him " you need a knockout to win rock." rocky with everything he has steps up the pace in 15, hurting liston badly in round 15 with a overhand right but with listons size and strength over the past 14 .marcianos arms are tired and weary though and he doesnt pack a knockout punch anymore. and listons heavy jab is less effective as marciano is now dipping ducking slipping the jab in his crouch and pounding away..but liston is knows he needs to see the bell, and it turns into a ******* both throwing everything they got in close quarters and mid range unleashing there artillery both are staggered, and liston gets in one good uppercut at the bell that makes marciano freeze.DING!!!! BELL SOUNDS the fans stand up and roar in approval of a great fight. marciano and liston hug eachother, a new found respect for eachother. The scorecards..........9-6 Liston 8-7 Liston 9-6 for the winner by Unanimous decision........SONNY LISTON!!!



FYI........As for the fools degrading competition, both liston and marciano cleaned out their division more than any heavyweight champion in history arguebably. both not only beat, but DOMINATED 4 out of the top 5 heavyweights of there era....and while marciano beat great fighters and # 1 contenders, liston beat very talented top contenders in their mid 20s at the peak of there careers coming off great win streaks. you cant ask for more from either of them.
Your argument is well made Suzie ,but I'm surprised you don't see the very real possibility of Liston stopping Marciano on cuts,I think Liston's monster jab would be the most important factor here.Marciano has to get inside ,once there I feel Liston can compete with him on even terms Sonny was a good short range fighter,and probably stronger than Marciano,I give Rocky the stamina edge ,he lived like a monk.If Liston doesn't pull a" Lewiston" .I think he stops Rocky.Marciano was in real danger of being tkod by Keene Simmons ,according to his biography,as he did against Charles he pulled it out ,but depending on when the fight is fought ,Referees are less inclined to let fights go on when your nose is split in half nowadays.Prime Liston took the bombs of Williams so he could probably absorb Marciano's ,but we never saw Liston in a lfe or death struggle come back to win ,he hung in there with Marshall with a broken jaw ,but lost the dec.Imo Marciano never met a puncher comparable to Liston,Louis was aging and hardly used his right against the Rock,Walcott was a good banger ,so was Layne but not in Sonny's class.Liston got kod by Ali ,so the book says,make of that fight what you will,against Martin he was an old man tiring and got nailed by a very hard hitter,no disgrace.Lots of imponderables here ,could Marciano take Liston's power?Could Liston battle though adversity and come back to win?He showed guts against Williams fighting back with a broken nose but that was a short fight ,how about if it was the 11th 12 rd and he was in trouble? I take Liston by tko on cuts around the 9th.

[Stonehands89]

Foreman would absolutely destroy Liston.
That's hanging out there like a flasher's goods in church.

Explain how Foreman "absolutely destroys" Liston.

[Stonehands89]

:rofl No in all honesty that would be one unbelievable fight. Sonny was a great fighter and all in all very misunderstood. Just watched a documentary on his life, very tragic.
1959 Liston was a serious threat to any HW who ever lived. The only one I would bet would beat him is 1967 Ali. Liston, I'd bet, would defeat George at his most dangerous -the 1973 Foreman and he'd do it with comparable strength and power, but through superior skill and shorter shots.

[Muchmoore]

1959 Liston was a serious threat to any HW who ever lived. The only one I would bet would beat him is 1967 Ali. Liston, I'd bet, would defeat George at his most dangerous -the 1973 Foreman and he'd do it with comparable strength and power, but through superior skill and shorter shots.

:good

The straighter shots would be the difference here. Liston was also more durable than Foreman, and technically superior in every way. Bad matchup for Big George.