Liston expert, Paul Gallender, has solved the five major mysteries surrounding The Bear in his 2012 biography, 'Sonny Liston - The Real Story Behind the Ali-Liston Fights'. The author's 40+ years of research provide boxing fans with definitive answers to the five most asked questions about The Bear’s life and career: 1) When was Sonny born? 2) Was he murdered? If so, who did it, how, and why? 3) Was the Liston/Clay fight on the level? 4) Why did Sonny throw the Ali fight? 5) Was Sonny Liston as bad a person as the media said he was? The short answers are: 1) 1919 or earlier. 2) Yes, by mobsters, with a heroin overdose, because he didn’t throw the Wepner fight. 3) Yes. Footage from the event shows Ali in the ring asking his entourage, 'Did I hit him?' . Ali also told Nation of Islam minister Abdul Rahman that Liston 'laid down'. 4) So his wife and son wouldn’t be killed. 5) No. Sonny was a good man. Liston, the son of a tenant farmer, served two long terms in prison, where he is said to have learned to box. Although he gave his birth year as 1932, there is evidence that he might have begun his ring career as early as 1934, at the age of 17, under the name of Charles (“Sailor”) Liston. If that is true, he was 45 years old when he won the championship. -- Encyclopedia Britannica "That he fought in 1934 is no secret - even the Encyclopedia Britannica acknowledges it." -- Paul Gallender His sister, who he was extremely close to, and who remembered his birth - he was much younger than she was - said he was born the year after the Great War (WW1). Which would have made him 44 when he fought Ali the first time. watch this vid/documentary --(According To Gallender Sonny Liston Was 44 Yrs Old When He Fought Ali) --from Retro Boxing & Documentaries
theres a youtube breakdown of the fight Ali controversial phantom punch explained.Where is the footage of Ali saying did I hit him?Im not sure if its the one but I just saw a comment that he said he knew he hit him but he didnt think it was a knock punch
When Patterson finally agreed to defend the title against Liston, he was asked about Liston deserving a title shot, being an ex-con. Floyd poured praise on, saying every man deserves a second chance, etc. When his turn came, Sonny said: *“I’d like to kill him and run him over with a car - when the fight starts , I’m gonna get what’s coming to me, and he’s gonna get what’s coming to him.”* Sonny was a genuinely tough man, feared in real life, it was not some gimmick for the ring. In the 1950’s, in Jim Crow America, the police routinely treated Black men badly. Sonny Liston was a proud man, and he chafed at the way the police treated him - and was not afraid to show it. In one early incident, he made his disdain for the police clear while demonstrating his remarkable strength. Again Jonathan Eig relates in Ali: A Life about an incident where the police were harassing Sonny: *“He started a fight with a cop, beat the cop senseless, snatched his gun, picked him up and dumped him in an alley," [Sonny] then walked away smiling, wearing the cop's hat."* Sonny also once took a gun away from a police officer who was harassing him for allegedly driving too slow, beat the officer and broke his knee. On another occasion when he was again being harassed, an enraged Sonny took the officer picked him up over his head and hurled him into a trash dumpster. For that one, Sonny was sent to the City Work Farm and was locked up and out of boxing for nearly two years. Only the fact the police did not want their harassment of Liston publicized saved him from decades in Pennsylvania prisons. Hasan Jeffries, an Assistant Professor of history at Ohio State University, said that Liston, born during Jim Crow, in the deep South, was considered by the establishment as: *“America’s worst nightmare”* and a *“literally dangerous Negro,”* someone who was *“unafraid of white people as demonstrated by his consistent encounters with police.”* Liston never complained about prison, saying: *“I had three meals every day for the first time in my life."* The mean little prison bed, a thin pad on broken springs, was better than anything Sonny had known. That food Sonny would praise was so bad after he left the Penitentiary the inmates rioted over it, claiming it wasn’t fit for a dog to eat. Sonny told Boxing Illustrated in 1964 that his life before prison was a LOT worse than Prison, where he got fed 3 meals a day: *“On the good days [growing up] I ate. On the bad ones I told my stomach to forget it."* Sonny was so feared in prison hardened murderers gave him a wide berth. It was in prison that for the first time in Sonny’s life someone saw something special in him. A Catholic priest saw the fear with which other convicts treated Sonny, and thought he would make a great fighter, and it would keep him out of trouble. Father Stevens taught him to box, believing that boxing would take Sonny out of a world of bars and beatings and to the places he deserved to go. He was at least partially right. When Sonny was returned to prison for two years after breaking a policeman’s knee when he picked him up, after being harassed one time too many, Sonny said of going back: *“So what? It ain’t that bad.”* Fight City was asked to pick the most feared and intimidating boxers, and guess who was number one of all time?: *“Sonny Liston.”* www.thefightcity.com/top-12-all-time-most-intimidating-boxers/
They had plenty of go fast medicines back then to help little Rocky whenever he needed it. What? Did u actually think the mafioso didn't have go fast medicines?
Zhang - 290 Bakole - 290 Joyce - 280 Fury - 275 Briggs - 265 Ruiz - 265 Grant - 265 Lennox - 250 Parker - 250 Foreman - 250 Vitali - 250 Peter - 250 Joshua - 250 Whyte - 250 Ibeabuchi - 245 Kabayel - 245 Wladimir - 245 Anderson - 245 Hrgovic - 245 Sanchez - 245 Ruddock - 245 Wardley - 240 Bowe - 240 Ortiz - 240 Witherspoon - 235 Tua - 235 Dokes - 235 Bruno - 230 Morrison - 230 Cooney - 230 Wilder - 225 Thomas - 225 Usyk - 222 Lyle - 220 Tyson - 218 Holmes - 218 Ali - 218 Liston - 218 *Marciano - 184 with the shortest ever 67" flyweight reach* *Charles - 181 with the lowest ever 42% KO's* *Moore - 175 light heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1962* Rocky fans always knew his post war drained era had an expiration date and that time has arrived. He was never tested against genuine topnotch 200+lbs Heavyweights let alone authentic topnotch 224+lbs Super Heavyweights. But he went 49-0, yes he did, against who? Middleweights and light heavyweights masquerading as Heavyweights. Walcott was at least 40, Moore was at least 42, Charles factually had ALS and Louis was washed. *Rocky never fought an all-time great in his prime.* Heck, in my opinion today's light heavyweight phenom Artur Beterbiev would annihilate Marciano! Rocky was flat-footed wide open and never used the jab. *Rocky's era was unquestionably beyond doubt* *the absolute worst Heavyweight division in boxing history!*
Look at the great rock. Aren’t you Marciano Men proud, he is fighting a “B” level fighter instead of the usual Old Men, used up fighters and C level pizza delivery men from Providence.
Yep John, that is what they all say. Oh, he had no amateur career, oh this, oh that. But the fact is, he fought nobody. The weakest level of competition of all time. Nobody would care, but you Marciano men have big mouths. And all of you melt down the moment you are confronted with his weak assed competition.
Zhang - 290 Bakole - 290 Joyce - 280 Fury - 275 Briggs - 265 Ruiz - 265 Grant - 265 Lennox - 250 Parker - 250 Foreman - 250 Vitali - 250 Peter - 250 Joshua - 250 Whyte - 250 Ibeabuchi - 245 Kabayel - 245 Wladimir - 245 Anderson - 245 Hrgovic - 245 Sanchez - 245 Ruddock - 245 Wardley - 240 Bowe - 240 Ortiz - 240 Witherspoon - 235 Tua - 235 Dokes - 235 Bruno - 230 Morrison - 230 Cooney - 230 Wilder - 225 Thomas - 225 Usyk - 222 Lyle - 220 Tyson - 218 Holmes - 218 Ali - 218 Liston - 218 *Marciano - 184 with the shortest ever 67" flyweight reach* *Charles - 181 with the lowest ever 42% KO's* *Moore - 175 light heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1962* Rocky fans always knew his post war drained era had an expiration date and that time has arrived. He was never tested against genuine topnotch 200+lbs Heavyweights let alone authentic topnotch 224+lbs Super Heavyweights. But he went 49-0, yes he did, against who? Middleweights and light heavyweights masquerading as Heavyweights. Walcott was at least 40, Moore was at least 42, Charles factually had ALS and Louis was washed. *Rocky never fought an all-time great in his prime.* Heck, in my opinion today's light heavyweight phenom Artur Beterbiev would annihilate Marciano! Rocky was flat-footed wide open and never used the jab. *Rocky's era was unquestionably beyond doubt* *the absolute worst Heavyweight division in boxing history!*
No. It was close because Rocky lost a point for a low blow. But Rocky also cut LaStarza's eyes and scored the only knockdown in the fight. That knockdown was the main reason why it was a win instead of a draw. Also, this was Rocky's first fight after he almost quit the sport over almost killing Vingo, his previous opponent.
@@surrealistidealist Where exactly did u come up with Rocky almost quit bcz of what happened to Vingo? Rocky never ever had any intentions of quitting bcz he was so so money hungry. Rocky's only drive in life was money. He had severe ocd with money. Anybody that knows anything about Rocky knows half the stuff u write about Rocky is fabricated. Just stick with the facts Mr. Fiction.
Why didn't little 178 lb light heavy to 186 lb tiny cruiser with tiny flyweight reach Rocky clean out his division like Sonny Liston, Ali and Lennox did? *Little Rocky ducked the great Marty Marshall, Harold Johnson, Maxim, Pompey, Bivins, Satterfield, Valdez, Lloyd Marshall, Oakland Billy Smith, and Curtis "Hatchetman" Sheppard just to name a few?* For 9 years from 1955 to 1964 Liston decimated his division. *There were 14 fighters at the top during Sonny’s time who flatly refused to fight him:* Hall of Fame undisputed Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier (Joe accepted, his management said hell no, and vetoed it). Hall of Fame undisputed Heavyweight Champion Ingemar Johannson refused to fight Sonny. Bob Foster (light heavyweight Champion but fought for the Heavyweight title twice) refused. WBA Heavyweight Champion Ernie Terrell refused to fight Sonny. WBA Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Ellis refused to fight Sonny. Bob Baker declined too. So did Henry Cooper, who said: “I don't even want to see him walking down the street, let alone in a gym!” Karl Mildenberger declined as well. Jerry Quarry (his father refused to make the fight). Tommy Jackson refused. Doug Jones did too. Harold Carter did as well. So did Joe Erskine and Bob Cleroux. *That is 14 top fighters, who refused to fight Sonny Liston, including 4 Champions.* *Sonny is the most ducked fighter in boxing history. On the other hand little Rocky was "'NEVER'" ducked!!! Moore, Walcott and LaStarza repeatedly petitioned to fight Rocky for years!!! EVERYONE wanted to fight little Rocky bcz he couldn't hurt you the way Sonny could!!! All Facts!!! Rocky was a Quitter!!!*
On forums, lunatics said marciano would beat mercer, yet no one even made mid card fighting like they did in that novice-like era in the '''' ''70s-'90s, tony wasn't much bigger than rocky and he had to stay away cause ray hit so hard, this man tony was way more advanced than that whole rocky era Tony was almost koed in the 1st from a hard jab from ray and Tony was used to taking shots from his real class which would be Rock's lhw, on top of Tony fought guys with way better tech than they did in Rock's era
Most people that were there felt that Rocky lost that first fight, but the second was the KO. But, Rocky was fresh off giving Carmine Vingo permanent brain damage and ruining his career and life. So, maybe he should have gotten a break with the judges. Rocky had power, but he was a mafia controlled fighter. I was always a huge fan, but who knows how many fights were fixed by Frankie Carbo and his band. Plus, every good fighter of his era was washed up by the time he fought Rocky.
@@BradTaylor-n8twhat an awful comeback, your just creating rumours and using stereotypes to damage a great fighters name. You need to do more research before your making these stupid statements. It's well known the mob were told to leave Rocky alone as he was too good anyway so they didnt need to fix his fights.
Zhang - 290 Bakole - 290 Joyce - 280 Fury - 275 Briggs - 265 Ruiz - 265 Grant - 265 Lennox - 250 Parker - 250 Foreman - 250 Vitali - 250 Peter - 250 Joshua - 250 Whyte - 250 Ibeabuchi - 245 Kabayel - 245 Wladimir - 245 Anderson - 245 Hrgovic - 245 Sanchez - 245 Ruddock - 245 Wardley - 240 Bowe - 240 Ortiz - 240 Witherspoon - 235 Tua - 235 Dokes - 235 Bruno - 230 Morrison - 230 Cooney - 230 Wilder - 225 Thomas - 225 Usyk - 222 Lyle - 220 Tyson - 218 Holmes - 218 Ali - 218 Liston - 218 *Marciano - 184 with the shortest ever 67" flyweight reach* *Charles - 181 with the lowest ever 42% KO's* *Moore - 175 light heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1962* Rocky fans always knew his post war drained era had an expiration date and that time has arrived. He was never tested against genuine topnotch 200+lbs Heavyweights let alone authentic topnotch 224+lbs Super Heavyweights. But he went 49-0, yes he did, against who? Middleweights and light heavyweights masquerading as Heavyweights. Walcott was at least 40, Moore was at least 42, Charles factually had ALS and Louis was washed. *Rocky never fought an all-time great in his prime.* Heck, in my opinion today's light heavyweight phenom Artur Beterbiev would annihilate Marciano! Rocky was flat-footed wide open and never used the jab. *Rocky's era was unquestionably beyond doubt* *the absolute worst Heavyweight division in boxing history!*
LaStarza put up a great fight against Marciano! 🇺🇸🇮🇹💪🏻🥊
Liston expert, Paul Gallender, has solved the five major mysteries surrounding The Bear in his 2012 biography, 'Sonny Liston - The Real Story Behind the Ali-Liston Fights'. The author's 40+ years of research provide boxing fans with definitive answers to the five most asked questions about The Bear’s life and career:
1) When was Sonny born?
2) Was he murdered? If so, who did it, how, and why?
3) Was the Liston/Clay fight on the level?
4) Why did Sonny throw the Ali fight?
5) Was Sonny Liston as bad a person as the media said he was?
The short answers are:
1) 1919 or earlier.
2) Yes, by mobsters, with a heroin overdose, because he didn’t throw the Wepner fight.
3) Yes. Footage from the event shows Ali in the ring asking his entourage, 'Did I hit him?' . Ali also told Nation of Islam minister Abdul Rahman that Liston 'laid down'.
4) So his wife and son wouldn’t be killed.
5) No. Sonny was a good man.
Liston, the son of a tenant farmer, served two long terms in prison, where he is said to have learned to box. Although he gave his birth year as 1932, there is evidence that he might have begun his ring career as early as 1934, at the age of 17, under the name of Charles (“Sailor”) Liston. If that is true, he was 45 years old when he won the championship. -- Encyclopedia Britannica
"That he fought in 1934 is no secret - even the Encyclopedia Britannica acknowledges it." -- Paul Gallender
His sister, who he was extremely close to, and who remembered his birth - he was much younger than she was - said he was born the year after the Great War (WW1). Which would have made him 44 when he fought Ali the first time.
watch this vid/documentary --(According To Gallender Sonny Liston Was 44 Yrs Old When He Fought Ali) --from Retro Boxing & Documentaries
theres a youtube breakdown of the fight Ali controversial phantom punch explained.Where is the footage of Ali saying did I hit him?Im not sure if its the one but I just saw a comment that he said he knew he hit him but he didnt think it was a knock punch
Legends never die
When Patterson finally agreed to defend the title against Liston, he was asked about Liston deserving a title shot, being an ex-con. Floyd poured praise on, saying every man deserves a second chance, etc. When his turn came, Sonny said:
*“I’d like to kill him and run him over with a car - when the fight starts , I’m gonna get what’s coming to me, and he’s gonna get what’s coming to him.”*
Sonny was a genuinely tough man, feared in real life, it was not some gimmick for the ring.
In the 1950’s, in Jim Crow America, the police routinely treated Black men badly. Sonny Liston was a proud man, and he chafed at the way the police treated him - and was not afraid to show it. In one early incident, he made his disdain for the police clear while demonstrating his remarkable strength. Again Jonathan Eig relates in Ali: A Life about an incident where the police were harassing Sonny:
*“He started a fight with a cop, beat the cop senseless, snatched his gun, picked him up and dumped him in an alley," [Sonny] then walked away smiling, wearing the cop's hat."*
Sonny also once took a gun away from a police officer who was harassing him for allegedly driving too slow, beat the officer and broke his knee. On another occasion when he was again being harassed, an enraged Sonny took the officer picked him up over his head and hurled him into a trash dumpster.
For that one, Sonny was sent to the City Work Farm and was locked up and out of boxing for nearly two years. Only the fact the police did not want their harassment of Liston publicized saved him from decades in Pennsylvania prisons.
Hasan Jeffries, an Assistant Professor of history at Ohio State University, said that Liston, born during Jim Crow, in the deep South, was considered by the establishment as:
*“America’s worst nightmare”* and a *“literally dangerous Negro,”* someone who was *“unafraid of white people as demonstrated by his consistent encounters with police.”*
Liston never complained about prison, saying:
*“I had three meals every day for the first time in my life."*
The mean little prison bed, a thin pad on broken springs, was better than anything Sonny had known.
That food Sonny would praise was so bad after he left the Penitentiary the inmates rioted over it, claiming it wasn’t fit for a dog to eat.
Sonny told Boxing Illustrated in 1964 that his life before prison was a LOT worse than Prison, where he got fed 3 meals a day:
*“On the good days [growing up] I ate. On the bad ones I told my stomach to forget it."*
Sonny was so feared in prison hardened murderers gave him a wide berth.
It was in prison that for the first time in Sonny’s life someone saw something special in him. A Catholic priest saw the fear with which other convicts treated Sonny, and thought he would make a great fighter, and it would keep him out of trouble. Father Stevens taught him to box, believing that boxing would take Sonny out of a world of bars and beatings and to the places he deserved to go.
He was at least partially right.
When Sonny was returned to prison for two years after breaking a policeman’s knee when he picked him up, after being harassed one time too many, Sonny said of going back:
*“So what? It ain’t that bad.”*
Fight City was asked to pick the most feared and intimidating boxers, and guess who was number one of all time?:
*“Sonny Liston.”*
www.thefightcity.com/top-12-all-time-most-intimidating-boxers/
Didnt he also have the flu in one of these brawls but just fought anyways cause hes nails
Yeah think that was with Rex Layne
@@Dante-kz7ou Lee Savold
@@Boxrec297 Yeah that's it
They had plenty of go fast medicines back then to help little Rocky whenever he needed it. What? Did u actually think the mafioso didn't have go fast medicines?
Roland LaStara was full of pain killers when he fought Rocky. Fact.
Che fighter.....
Welcome back
Yeah
No momento certo, La Starza sempre dava um passo atrás
The only fight which Marciano almost lost
Almost lost? Rocky beat the crap out of la starza
Ted Lowry 😅
I think that honor goes to the first fight against La Starza, which Rocky won by a split decision.
Por fora deste ringue há uma máfia enorme e muitas vezes se sabe quem ganha.
En la primer pelea habían empatado pero por la norma boxistica del estado donde se hizo la pelea le dieron un punto más a Marciano
Zhang - 290
Bakole - 290
Joyce - 280
Fury - 275
Briggs - 265
Ruiz - 265
Grant - 265
Lennox - 250
Parker - 250
Foreman - 250
Vitali - 250
Peter - 250
Joshua - 250
Whyte - 250
Ibeabuchi - 245
Kabayel - 245
Wladimir - 245
Anderson - 245
Hrgovic - 245
Sanchez - 245
Ruddock - 245
Wardley - 240
Bowe - 240
Ortiz - 240
Witherspoon - 235
Tua - 235
Dokes - 235
Bruno - 230
Morrison - 230
Cooney - 230
Wilder - 225
Thomas - 225
Usyk - 222
Lyle - 220
Tyson - 218
Holmes - 218
Ali - 218
Liston - 218
*Marciano - 184 with the shortest ever 67" flyweight reach*
*Charles - 181 with the lowest ever 42% KO's*
*Moore - 175 light heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1962*
Rocky fans always knew his post war drained era had an expiration date and that time has arrived. He was never tested against genuine topnotch 200+lbs Heavyweights let alone authentic topnotch 224+lbs Super Heavyweights.
But he went 49-0, yes he did, against who?
Middleweights and light heavyweights
masquerading as Heavyweights.
Walcott was at least 40,
Moore was at least 42,
Charles factually had ALS and Louis was washed.
*Rocky never fought an all-time great in his prime.*
Heck, in my opinion today's light heavyweight phenom Artur Beterbiev would annihilate Marciano! Rocky was flat-footed wide open and never used the jab.
*Rocky's era was unquestionably beyond doubt*
*the absolute worst Heavyweight division in boxing history!*
Look at the great rock. Aren’t you Marciano Men proud, he is fighting a “B” level fighter instead of the usual Old Men, used up fighters and C level pizza delivery men from Providence.
A coward avoid the real freedom fighter
La starza is a good fighter and rock had almost no ammy career. Hes green up until his last 5 fights
Yep John, that is what they all say. Oh, he had no amateur career, oh this, oh that. But the fact is, he fought nobody. The weakest level of competition of all time. Nobody would care, but you Marciano men have big mouths. And all of you melt down the moment you are confronted with his weak assed competition.
Real HW fight. Unlike today's fat useless comedy Lumps.
@NoDramaJustLove Who.
Zhang - 290
Bakole - 290
Joyce - 280
Fury - 275
Briggs - 265
Ruiz - 265
Grant - 265
Lennox - 250
Parker - 250
Foreman - 250
Vitali - 250
Peter - 250
Joshua - 250
Whyte - 250
Ibeabuchi - 245
Kabayel - 245
Wladimir - 245
Anderson - 245
Hrgovic - 245
Sanchez - 245
Ruddock - 245
Wardley - 240
Bowe - 240
Ortiz - 240
Witherspoon - 235
Tua - 235
Dokes - 235
Bruno - 230
Morrison - 230
Cooney - 230
Wilder - 225
Thomas - 225
Usyk - 222
Lyle - 220
Tyson - 218
Holmes - 218
Ali - 218
Liston - 218
*Marciano - 184 with the shortest ever 67" flyweight reach*
*Charles - 181 with the lowest ever 42% KO's*
*Moore - 175 light heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1962*
Rocky fans always knew his post war drained era had an expiration date and that time has arrived. He was never tested against genuine topnotch 200+lbs Heavyweights let alone authentic topnotch 224+lbs Super Heavyweights.
But he went 49-0, yes he did, against who?
Middleweights and light heavyweights
masquerading as Heavyweights.
Walcott was at least 40,
Moore was at least 42,
Charles factually had ALS and Louis was washed.
*Rocky never fought an all-time great in his prime.*
Heck, in my opinion today's light heavyweight phenom Artur Beterbiev would annihilate Marciano! Rocky was flat-footed wide open and never used the jab.
*Rocky's era was unquestionably beyond doubt*
*the absolute worst Heavyweight division in boxing history!*
Lastarza easily beat marciano first fight. Everybody who was there said so it wasnt even close the mob fixed it for him
You're crazy dude.
49-0
@@jayman9312 nope he lost at least 4 of those fights plus he fought nothing but tomato cans and fighters 10 years past their prime.
@@benrking7922 small, clumsy, uncoordinated, stamina for days as durable as a crowbar and a right hand like a falling safe 49-0
@@jayman9312 nope small dumb weak fought in the worst era in history owned by the mob. He couldn't beat one lightheavyweight today.
With all the respect,wasn't the first fight a draw.Then one card was change in favor of Marciano,thanks to his manager.
Nope
No. It was close because Rocky lost a point for a low blow. But Rocky also cut LaStarza's eyes and scored the only knockdown in the fight. That knockdown was the main reason why it was a win instead of a draw.
Also, this was Rocky's first fight after he almost quit the sport over almost killing Vingo, his previous opponent.
@@surrealistidealist The Rock never 'almost quit' over the Vingo tragedy.
@@surrealistidealist Where exactly did u come up with Rocky almost quit bcz of what happened to Vingo? Rocky never ever had any intentions of quitting bcz he was so so money hungry. Rocky's only drive in life was money. He had severe ocd with money. Anybody that knows anything about Rocky knows half the stuff u write about Rocky is fabricated. Just stick with the facts Mr. Fiction.
@@Boxrec297 You are black David Frost
Why didn't little 178 lb light heavy to 186 lb tiny cruiser with tiny flyweight reach Rocky clean out his division like Sonny Liston, Ali and Lennox did? *Little Rocky ducked the great Marty Marshall, Harold Johnson, Maxim, Pompey, Bivins, Satterfield, Valdez, Lloyd Marshall, Oakland Billy Smith, and Curtis "Hatchetman" Sheppard just to name a few?* For 9 years from 1955 to 1964 Liston decimated his division. *There were 14 fighters at the top during Sonny’s time who flatly refused to fight him:*
Hall of Fame undisputed Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier (Joe accepted, his management said hell no, and vetoed it).
Hall of Fame undisputed Heavyweight Champion Ingemar Johannson refused to fight Sonny.
Bob Foster (light heavyweight Champion but fought for the Heavyweight title twice) refused.
WBA Heavyweight Champion Ernie Terrell refused to fight Sonny.
WBA Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Ellis refused to fight Sonny.
Bob Baker declined too.
So did Henry Cooper, who said: “I don't even want to see him walking down the street, let alone in a gym!”
Karl Mildenberger declined as well.
Jerry Quarry (his father refused to make the fight).
Tommy Jackson refused.
Doug Jones did too.
Harold Carter did as well.
So did Joe Erskine
and Bob Cleroux.
*That is 14 top fighters, who refused to fight Sonny Liston, including 4 Champions.*
*Sonny is the most ducked fighter in boxing history. On the other hand little Rocky was "'NEVER'" ducked!!! Moore, Walcott and LaStarza repeatedly petitioned to fight Rocky for years!!! EVERYONE wanted to fight little Rocky bcz he couldn't hurt you the way Sonny could!!! All Facts!!! Rocky was a Quitter!!!*
LIKE I SAID WHO DID HE FIGHT AND HOW DID HE WIN! GOD IS GOOD. J
On forums, lunatics said marciano would beat mercer, yet no one even made mid card fighting like they did in that novice-like era in the '''' ''70s-'90s, tony wasn't much bigger than rocky and he had to stay away cause ray hit so hard, this man tony was way more advanced than that whole rocky era
Tony was almost koed in the 1st from a hard jab from ray and Tony was used to taking shots from his real class which would be Rock's lhw, on top of Tony fought guys with way better tech than they did in Rock's era
Most people that were there felt that Rocky lost that first fight, but the second was the KO. But, Rocky was fresh off giving Carmine Vingo permanent brain damage and ruining his career and life. So, maybe he should have gotten a break with the judges.
Rocky had power, but he was a mafia controlled fighter. I was always a huge fan, but who knows how many fights were fixed by Frankie Carbo and his band. Plus, every good fighter of his era was washed up by the time he fought Rocky.
They werent washed up, thats a gross exaggeration. Marciano is so underrated due to his style
There is no proof out there that the Mafia had anything to do with Marciano's fights.
@@johnriley9738 likewise, there’s no proof he wasn’t involved also. Mob was big in boxing back then and that’s a fact.
@@BradTaylor-n8twhat an awful comeback, your just creating rumours and using stereotypes to damage a great fighters name. You need to do more research before your making these stupid statements. It's well known the mob were told to leave Rocky alone as he was too good anyway so they didnt need to fix his fights.
Zhang - 290
Bakole - 290
Joyce - 280
Fury - 275
Briggs - 265
Ruiz - 265
Grant - 265
Lennox - 250
Parker - 250
Foreman - 250
Vitali - 250
Peter - 250
Joshua - 250
Whyte - 250
Ibeabuchi - 245
Kabayel - 245
Wladimir - 245
Anderson - 245
Hrgovic - 245
Sanchez - 245
Ruddock - 245
Wardley - 240
Bowe - 240
Ortiz - 240
Witherspoon - 235
Tua - 235
Dokes - 235
Bruno - 230
Morrison - 230
Cooney - 230
Wilder - 225
Thomas - 225
Usyk - 222
Lyle - 220
Tyson - 218
Holmes - 218
Ali - 218
Liston - 218
*Marciano - 184 with the shortest ever 67" flyweight reach*
*Charles - 181 with the lowest ever 42% KO's*
*Moore - 175 light heavyweight champion from 1952 to 1962*
Rocky fans always knew his post war drained era had an expiration date and that time has arrived. He was never tested against genuine topnotch 200+lbs Heavyweights let alone authentic topnotch 224+lbs Super Heavyweights.
But he went 49-0, yes he did, against who?
Middleweights and light heavyweights
masquerading as Heavyweights.
Walcott was at least 40,
Moore was at least 42,
Charles factually had ALS and Louis was washed.
*Rocky never fought an all-time great in his prime.*
Heck, in my opinion today's light heavyweight phenom Artur Beterbiev would annihilate Marciano! Rocky was flat-footed wide open and never used the jab.
*Rocky's era was unquestionably beyond doubt*
*the absolute worst Heavyweight division in boxing history!*