Sonny Liston vs. Eddie Machen.HW.1960.09.07

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Liston beat: Mike DeJohn Cleveland Williams Nino Valdes Willie Besmanov Howard King Williams (again) Roy Harris Zora Foley Machen (this fight) This was basically the top 10 contenders during that time, especially Williams, Foley and Machen. And yet, Floyd Patterson refused to fight him for roughly 4 years. Floyd ducked Williams and Foley too. Floyd turned out to be an honorable ex-champion over the years, but he was a paper champion during his time. Liston should have been HW Champion from about 1958 until 1964, when he was aging and Ali had his number.

[@henrybrowne7248]

Yeah, I've become a big Liston fan. No question he was the top heavyweight for a number of years, and a very fine fighter at that--take a look at some of the matchups you listed. Ali was a once-in-a-century fighter, and had the exact style that was a nightmare for Liston and for that matter, most other heavyweights as well.

[@joanmjames2495]

And Bert Whitehurst, whom he knocked through the ring.

[@tloustrats]

I would even say if Liston didn't have trouble with the police in 1956, Patterson would have never been champ. Liston would have dominated easily from 56 to at least the first Ali fight. That how basically I consider him. As an 8 year champion and not someone who had been ducked for 2 AND A HALF YEAR while he was n°1 contender for almost 3 YEARS. Cus d'Amato and his team really ruined the 50's

[@AXL664]

No his manager cus d amato wouldn’t let him fight real contenders so Floyd fired him and Patterson was able to fight real boxers like Liston, Ali, bonavena, Chuvalo, Ellis.

[@williambeekman5383]

Yes, spot on sonny should of been champion for 6 years at least ,

[@henrybrowne7248]

Weigh-In. Liston: *cold stare* Machen: stares back Machen: "Well I'm not scared" Liston: *cold stare* for about one more minute, then "You will be" 🤣

[@natkingcurrieiv1318]

GREAT CHANNEL 👍...Subscribed..

[@marktorak5578]

Both Sonny Liston and George Foreman would be champion for a ling time if not for Ali

[@robertgreenwood5228]

I heard a story that Liston was told to make this fight go the distance by his mafia bosses. I don't know whether this is true or not but having watched all of listons fights from this era, he does seem quite subdued in this fight. Almost like it was a sparring session.

[@williambeekman5383]

I noticed this as well

[@giuseppegumina5576]

Great LISTON SUPER Boxeur

[@gablefisk-govphost817]

Machen was the blueprint that Ali followed to defeat Sonny.

[@ronaldlevao8251]

Eddie Machen was a heck of a fighter. Liston earned the win but just barely. Lots to think about. The old rumor that Eddie was warned to ease off when he seemed to have Liston's number doesn't look believable. Both guys are aware of the other's strengths and do their best. I cannot speak to the possible eye-burning ointment Sonny used, but Eddie is not playing defensive spoiler. He slips and counters, and does some real digging in against the fearsome Liston. Ingemar Johansson must have caught Machen just right when he brutally blasted out Eddie a couple of years before, ruining his chances of a title fight vs. Floyd. Machen's tale is a tragic one--so skilled, so promising, but the title would never be his, and psychological anguish possibly lead to his mysterious death.

[@DreDaDon16]

Who win Liston vs Lennox Lewis

[@joekavanagh7171]

Liston. No contest

[@johnapperson7495]

@@joekavanagh7171 wrong Lennox was an all around boxer/puncher

[@davidfumosa3792]

Liston ko in 1

[@johnapperson7495]

@@davidfumosa3792 doubt it

[@davidfumosa3792]

Sonny of 58,59 would have ko d every heaveyweight in history accept Ali.

[@marktorak5578]

Liston and Foreman who could brat anypne. Except for one man Muhammad Ali

[@swedenoble6083]

Watch the bull chit knockdown rolling all over the mat Like a fake wrestler They murdered the great sonny Each Win They turned there back On sonny He chased respect And pissed on all of it🎉

[@vnonkwinn6233]

Booooooooooooooo!

[@dallaskenn]

48:21 Not smart at all.

[@TemurTheConqeuror]

Bro who watches this fights of Listons and goes “yeah he could have beaten Foreman” Big George would tear his head off💀bro got knocked out by nobody, who tf is leotis martin,George was everything Liston was and even more, he might have been more powerful than George when George was 19 but tf , 1973 Foreman vs 1958 Liston? I’m betting my whole house and bloodline on George

[@henrybrowne7248]

No question Big George was a beast, but you should hear/read the things George said about training with Sonny--very impressive. It's hard to match fighters across eras too.

[@JoelShrallow-rl3yt]

Bro u a lame. First off Foreman lost to a bum named Jimmy Young and almost died of dehydration in the process. That's when that Stigmata shit happened and he quit like a bitch for 10 years. Prior to that he barely beat Ron Lyle who was a savage puncher like Liston but with only a 10th of his boxing skills. George admitted Liston was the only man to back him up consistently too. Get a life casual.

[@fitveganathleteintegrateda1695]

Liston had a much better jab than big George, and for that reason alone. I would go with Liston, who also was quicker.

[@joanmjames2495]

​@@fitveganathleteintegrateda1695With all due respect, I think Foreman's jab was just as good as Sonny's, and I think Foreman was quicker.

[@joanmjames2495]

Good post, except Leotis Martin was a very good, top 10 heavyweight of his time.