Liston's Speed underrated.

[abdelfadeeli]

I've always thought that Liston's speed was very underrated. People just remember him from the Ali fights. Their are two things most people don't realize. One; Liston was no where near prime and very overweight. Two; Ali would've made anybody look slow. Angelo Dundee even said once, that Liston was just as fast if not faster than Mike Tyson! I also found a quote from a book that said the following:

There were few spectators in the Pavilion. Vic led them to some front row padded loge seats. The world's number one heavyweight contender was in the ring working with a very fast light heavyweight. Although his size made him seem as ponderous as a water buffalo, Liston was in fact faster than the sparring partner. He worked on cutting off the ring, something he anticipated he would have to do with Patterson, who was lightning fast and a fine boxer as well. Time and again Liston trapped the light heavyweight along the ropes. Liston threw light punches and let him go, only to trap him again. After two rounds of this, a bigger man gloved up and got into the ring. A number of handlers in gray sweatshirts with "Sonny Liston" crudely stenciled on them bustled about. One of the men simply sat before a small phonograph and played "Nighttrain," over and over again. Kid Dynamite sported two fresh black eyes incurred when his doctor had to rebreak his nose to set it right, and because of this as many people were looking at him as were watching Liston.

What do you guys think of Liston's speed?

[man]

Angelo Dundee even said once, that Liston was just as fast if not faster than Mike Tyson!

this mike tyson?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51090bGcoR8

[Cygnus475]

Dundee might've said that to imply Ali would have dealt with Tysons speed.

Anyway yes Ali could have made almost anyone look slow but Liston being out of shape is his own fault. As for bis age, that will continue to be an issue till the end of time or until the mobsters who knew the truth speak up.

[King Carlos]

Cutting off the ring doesn't translate to speed. Liston wasn't fast. He was long, with top notch distance control and timing. That's what allowed him to land.