Sonny Liston - Intimidation

Highlights of the legendary former undisputed Heavyweight world champion.

Sonny Liston - Was an American professional boxer who competed from 1953 to 1970. A dominant contender of his era, he became the world Heavyweight champion in 1962 after knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round, repeating the knockout the following year in defense of the title; in the latter fight he also became the inaugural WBC Heavyweight champion. Often regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Liston was particularly known for his immense strength, formidable jab, long reach, toughness, and is widely regarded as the most intimidating man in the history of combat sports. Although Liston was widely regarded as unbeatable, he lost the title in 1964 to Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay), who entered as an 8:1 underdog. Liston retired in his corner due to an inflamed shoulder. The Ring magazine ranks Liston as the tenth greatest Heavyweight of all time, while boxing writer Herb Goldman ranked him second and Richard O'Brien, Senior Editor of Sports Illustrated, placed him third. Liston was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Song: Tom Evans - Detonate

Highlights Knockouts Tribute
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haNZAgod

[__JASON__.]

George Foreman on Sonny Liston - He was the only man I could never overpower . He would back me up all the time . There were intense sparring sessions between both George and Sonny . Foreman said he once whacked Liston really hard in sparring and looked at him to see his reaction . Sonny looked back at him and softly said "No son"

[Tomrider]

"Only man who ever backed me up!" - George Foreman. Sonny Liston was as close to a wild animal as a human gets!

[lesglover]

Sonny Liston never looked pissed off. He always looked bothered or just like he was doing business. I can't even imagine what it would have been like for an opponent across a boxing ring if he actually lost his shit and really got pissed off. He was such an awesome boxer and what a wrecking machine when he connected.

[Aamirmhmd]

such a tragic life sonny liston had...literally everybody was against him..the press, his family, the people, the boxing organisations...his whole life was a mystery...how he died and when he was born...people close to him knew that he was a gentle soul and cared deeply for children...such a great heavyweight is remembered for losing to ali...he deserves credit more than he gets...RIP...legend...

[logan]

"I was an intimidator...until I fought Sonny Liston"

[budcc]

Not only his legacy but also his skills and qualities are underrated too much. It's a shame that one of the best heavyweights of all time is just remerbered as the guy who beaten twice by Ali. Liston should be revalued much more.

[boxinglegends]

0:25 man that was the most intimidating stare i've ever seen

[johnleka]

Nobody knows when he born nobody knows the reason of him death. The sure thing is he was and he's one of the best boxer this planet had. Rest in peace.

[SmokinJoe]

ali said later in his life that at the time he was terrified of liston

[shadowsnake]

Arms like tree trunks, stocky build and a stare that says "I'm only going one way, right through you." Definitely more intimidating than any other fighter. He broke down Williams who was possibly the most physically perfect boxer, musculature wise and that death glare he gave Henry Clark would have KOed me before the fight even started.

[SSR]

A magnificent fighter. Sonny Liston had everything- strong build, wingspan of a 7 footer, the greatest jab in history, knockout power in both hands and a natural killer instinct.

[matthewmcgeady]

Sonny Liston is so underrated. He was a force of nature in the heavyweight division. He was also a genetic freak, 6'0 tall with a 7 foot wingspan and 16 inch fists (largest in boxing history).

[Khp]

"Im Sonny Liston, Im Jack Dempsey, My style is ferocious, my defence is impregnable... " these only one scary guy in boxing history...

[oliverprstholm]

That handshake with Floyd, he just holds his hand and stares him down😐

[ringobento]

That left jab is definitly the best in heavyweight history. Sonny was almost forgotten after the ali fights, but he is a all time great. No doubt about that

[FreckleBAM]

Sure Liston himself was intimidating and all, but I think was was really scariest about fighting Liston, was that his reach was 213cm, and he was only 185cm tall. That means his reach was longer than Deontay Wilder's, who is 201cm tall.

Liston's reach was longer than a man's who was 16cm taller than him!

[yoohooligan]

1:17 his reach is absolutely ridiculous

[um]

No coincidence foreman and tyson both followed, respected and revered liston. Their demeanor, intimidation, persona and punching power are things of legend

[UltravioletFilms]

I've got to say - I'm a massive fan of Sonny Liston. An authentic tough guy !!

[phreshian]

You could tell how afraid Floyd Patterson was from press to bell. Never looked Liston in the eye.