I would say Liston. Ali beat Liston by sticking and moving, Marciano only fought one way, toe to toe. Liston would be around 30 lb heavier than Marciano plus he had an 84 inch reach, compared with Marciano's 68 inches. Although Marciano could do some damage if he got in close that would be hard to do with a 16 inch reach disadvantage and Liston's jab.
Liston was an expert at keeping opponents on the end of his jab and it was a powerful jab too, powerful enough to dislodge an opponents teeth.
Marciano cut relatively easily and I can see Liston's jab beginning to cut Marciano up very early into the fight. There may be some interesting exchanges but overall Marciano would struggle to get inside Liston's reach and remember too that Marciano was floored by lesser punchers than Liston.
I think Liston stops Marciano within five rounds, either on cuts or repeated knock downs.
Liston TKO5.
I can't see Marciano doing much better than Patterson vs Marciano. I would take Patterson over Marciano. Liston would be a mismatch. Liston via 1 round ko. I mean if small ex welters and ex middles like Old man Moore 42 and Old Walcott 38-39 can hurt him Liston destroys him early.
A skill difference that I think favor's Liston, put aside; Marciano was the shortest armed heavyweight champ with a reach of 68 inches, and Liston was a mutant with a reach of 84 inches, and had a PUNISHING jab to go along with it. I don't think encounter would end well for Marciano at all. I can see his face ending up a bloody mess...An absolute mess, and being knocked out or stopped somewhere in the middle rounds. Liston was a different kind of beast, and something Marciano never came across during his career. I don't think he'd hear the final bell.
Sonny Liston's long reach and jab would make him a stylistic nightmare for Rocky Marciano. Ali beat Liston with his fast hands and lateral movement. Marciano had neither of this two things. Liston would stop him in about 3 or 4 rounds.
Ill go with Liston, I think Sonny was to big and strong for Marciano. Rocky could hit and hurt guys around the 190 mark but once you get to a brute like Liston with a powerful accurate jab it would make it very hard to Marcino to get inside and do damage. Marciano could do some damage though if he got inside but I think Liston could absorb whatever the 185 lb Marciano could hit him with.
I think after some spirited rounds Marciano's face would be a bloody swollen mess and would eventually succumb to an aggressive Liston looking to finish a bloodied Marciano.
Liston ko 9
Liston was a much better boxer than he is given credit for being, but Rocky took Louis' hook so he could also take Liston's jab, and still win.
No one ever pressured another boxer as much and in the end he would also beat Liston.
Just because he did not run as did Ali, does not mean he would eat those jabs, Rocky knew how to bob and weave and duck and block punches he did not eat them as did Gene Fulmer, who absorbed punishment to give it back.
Liston would cut Marciano down to size
Even is Liston's prime he had no heart. Great jab. Great power. Decent boxer. Just no heart to withstand the preasure that Marciano would put on him. Marciano by KO or TKO when Liston got tired and frustrated by the constant bombs that Marciano would never get tired of throwing.
Marciano aways got up and NEVER quit. Can't say the same for Liston.
Marciano by a knockout in the late rounds. Ali beat Liston easily.
Liston by KO in 8
Would Liston's Jab be too much? Would Marcianos work rate out last Liston?
cleveland williams rocked liston in their first fight. marciano would finish the job.
