BoxRec

There have been some more immortalised than others, which would you say is THE most memorised in history?

I go with Firpo knocking Dempsey through the ropes, but it has some competition.

Ali watching Foreman get counted out?

Ali standing over Liston?

Marciano distorting Walcott's cheek (not the KO punch)?

Ali Liston.


Marciano v Walcott image was my favourite growing up. I didn't think anyone else but Marciano could do that to a face.

Definitely Ali-Liston.

A good case can be made that it's the most famous sporting image of all time.

raylawpc wrote:

Its debatable, bv yeah, thats my pick

crusader wrote:Definitely Ali-Liston.

A good case can be made that it's the most famous sporting image of all time.

Sports Illustrated named it as such

.. a long time ago my older son bought me a plastic version of firpo/dempsey...it was made like those little models of dracula, frankenstien, etc. wish i had it now. i go with this as boxing's most famous image, mainly because of the bellows painting, but i'd think the more recent ali/liston one is known to more people now....but firpo dempsey hangs in the cleveland art museum, while no painting has ever been down, at least as far as i know, of ali/liston. i did one of moore/durelle...the final knockdown. wish i still had that one too.

I think a lot of people who first memorized Dempsey-Firpo would've eventually memorized Ali-Liston as well.

Nowadays the latter image transcends the boarders of sports and is recognized by hundreds of millions worldwide of various ages, but I don't think the same can be said of the former, as it is propagated much less frequently in the media. Changes in technology also mean that the world is a much more connected place; an image that has been heavily promoted in recent years has the capacity to reach more people than it would've generations ago.

So if fame is operationalized as the number of people who have memorized the image, I'd go with Ali-Liston before any other boxing photo, and possibly any other sports photo.

I think Ali going down from Frazier's Left hook is up there too.

Honourable mention to Tyson groping around for his mouth piece while Douglas looks on.

ali - liston

Syntax Error wrote:I think Ali going down from Frazier's Left hook is up there too.

Honourable mention to Tyson groping around for his mouth piece while Douglas looks on.

I'm an Ali fan, AND I will say that though you are right, that moment SHOULD be perhaps at the top of the list, I don't think it qualifies. Too many of his over zealous fans vilify the very picture of that moment.

Though I never agreed with granberry on much of anything, the pain this picture causes Ali's zealots...(of which I am NEARLY a member) ends up keeping this GREAT sporting moment from getting it's proper due.

But without it, Ali is much much less than he has become. It is Joe Frazier and his defeat of Ali that set Ali up for him to have his premier place in Sports. If Frazier hadn't taken care of business on that day, I'm not sure Ali would enjoy nearly the reverence he commands. It's all about how he came back from that. In fact In my opinion the greatest aspect of his career become defined when he ROSE from that shot. And what he accomplished from then on. Starting with the way he finished that fight.

I doubt even some casual boxing fans would recognize Dempsey-Firpo but Ali-Liston can be seen everywhere Boxing Gyms,Barbershops, Random persons basement.

I would definitely have that as number 1.

"I think Ali going down from Frazier's Left hook is up there too." Syntax Error


Yes, yes, this SHOULD be the most famous image.

The most important fight of the 20th century, the whole world watching, two undefeated greats meeting at a time when they were both closest to their peaks and in what they KNEW was the most important moment of their careers, etc, etc.

But the "wrong" guy won.

So it goes.

yancey wrote:"I think Ali going down from Frazier's Left hook is up there too." Syntax Error


Yes, yes, this SHOULD be the most famous image.

The most important fight of the 20th century, the whole world watching, two undefeated greats meeting at a time when they were both closest to their peaks and in what they KNEW was the most important moment of their careers, etc, etc.

But the "wrong" guy won.

So it goes.

I wouldn't say it was the most important fight of the century . . . but it was one of three in terms of public interest and historic impact beyond boxing. The other two: Jeffries-Johnson and Louis-Schmeling II.

Anytakers gentlemen on these

and

To the people who didn't pick Ali-Liston, what is the line of reasoning behind your choice?

crusader wrote:To the people who didn't pick Ali-Liston, what is the line of reasoning behind your choice?

Which Liston photo are you referring to, the one of him quitting on his stool or the one of him quitting on the floor?

yancey wrote:

crusader wrote:To the people who didn't pick Ali-Liston, what is the line of reasoning behind your choice?

Which Liston photo are you referring to, the one of him quitting on his stool or the one of him quitting on the floor?

To be fair, Frazier quit on his stool too, Yance. Same opponent, too.

Just sayin'.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:

yancey wrote:

crusader wrote:To the people who didn't pick Ali-Liston, what is the line of reasoning behind your choice?

Which Liston photo are you referring to, the one of him quitting on his stool or the one of him quitting on the floor?

To be fair, Frazier quit on his stool too, Yance. Same opponent, too.

Just sayin'.

Yes, quite comparable, aren't they?

Well, really, it is.

I mean, its the same act, against the same rival. Im not saying its the same, but treating Liston as a pariah for the same thing Frazier gets an unreserved pass for is a little unbalanced, no?

Goodnight, Irene wrote:Well, really, it is.

I mean, its the same act, against the same rival. Im not saying its the same, but treating Liston as a pariah for the same thing Frazier gets an unreserved pass for is a little unbalanced, no?

Yes, yes, I'm sorry.

I mean, Sonny gave ALL of himself that night in Miami Beach. What a champion! What a struggle to keep the title!

Much better than the effort Joe gave in Manila.

I never said that (I said just the opposite, actually). Frazier obviously gave more. Still, you have to admit, the similarities are there. I dont think you can treat them as totally different.

Liston showed a lot of heart fighting as a complete rookie with a broken jaw. Im not even convinced it was legit anyway.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:I never said that (I said just the opposite, actually). Frazier obviously gave more. Still, you have to admit, the similarities are there. I dont think you can treat them as totally different.

Liston showed a lot of heart fighting as a complete rookie with a broken jaw. Im not even convinced it was legit anyway.

Irene, in no way can you compare the Miami Beach fight ending with Liston on his stool with the Manila fight ending with Frazier on his stool.

Frazier's defeat was glorious. He gave it his all in a monumental struggle. Basically couldn't see to defend himself in the end. His cornerman had to urge him to retire. A documentary and a book has been produced about that fight. "Son, no one will forget what you done here today". etc, etc.

Liston's defeat was infamous. The stench still remains going on 50 years. A fix suspected by many. Showed great disrespect to the greatest title in sports by freaking giving it up like he did. Marciano appalled and disgusted at ringside. etc, etc.

You absolutely cannot put the two retirements on the stool in the same context.

Yeah, I know Yance. Was just yankin your chain, mate

yancey wrote:

crusader wrote:To the people who didn't pick Ali-Liston, what is the line of reasoning behind your choice?

Which Liston photo are you referring to, the one of him quitting on his stool or the one of him quitting on the floor?