MATCH - up
Character:
By contrast Sonny Liston was a genuinely ‘dangerous’ man in and outside of the ring. A ‘troubled’ youth he was
already over 6’ft tall at 16, weighing at 200 and was regularly arrested, eventually doing jail-time, where he was
introduced to boxing. Over the years controversy and
STRENGTHS:
Whichever way you look at it Liston was an awesome puncher with devastating power. During a career that saw
him fight 50 times, 39 of his 46 victories coming by way of knockout. Liston became heavyweight champion by
stopping Floyd Patterson in less than 2 minutes, the first time a defending champion had ever been stopped in the
opening round. Liston seemed invincible until he met a certain Cassius Clay, who took his title and then beat him
even more convincingly in the rematch.
After losing consecutive fights to Clay Liston went on a 13 fight winning streak, all by KO, a testament to his
enduring power even at the age of 39. Stamina was not a problem for Liston either and although he was known as a
deadly finisher, he could do the rounds, a good number of his stoppages coming between rounds 7 and 10.
WEAKNESSES:
If Liston had a weakness it was his mobility, commentators at the time noting his lack of light-footedness and
reliance on being able to soak up punishment. Although a concussive puncher Liston was not noted as having fasthands either and these weaknesses were all exposed by Ali (Cassius Clay), the epitome of the modern boxer who
made Liston look old and leaden.
Conclusion:
This is a tough fight to call, both men proving that age was no hindrance to performance at the very top level,
Couture still genuinely competitive at 46, Liston stopping his final opponent Chuck Wepner at the age of 39.
Stamina and durability are also shared traits, so both fighters are even there as well proving their ability to absorb
punishment and go the distance. So it all comes down to the specific skill-sets and weaknesses.
Liston is famed as a concussive puncher and Couture has been stopped by big –hitters more than once in his career.
That said, Couture has been known to shock opponents with a punch to set up his take-down and ground and
pound skills. Knowing that Liston is not light on his feet, anything but a straight boxing bout would put Liston at
real risk. So in conclusion, if the bout were under Boxing rules Liston by stoppage every day of the week but if it
were by MMA rules Couture would probably do to Liston what he actually did to James Toney, take him down early
and submit him.
The answers seem obvious given the rule sets but there is one variable that I feel gives the edge to Couture and that
is the boxers chance to catch the MMA fighter on the way in with a knockout punch. So knowing that, why do I give
the edge to the MMA fighter? Although Liston carried real power he did not have naturally ‘fast’ hands, the skill
that is needed to catch the MMA fighter clean as he tries to shoot in. An Ali or a Mayweather yes, Liston no, so the
edge to Couture on this occasion.
.S
sonny liston
DECEMBER 2014 BRAWL SPORTS 11