Opinion: Why i believe sonny liston had the best jab of all time
Liston’s punching power was another element that set him apart from his contemporaries. The fact that 39 of his 50 victories were knockouts speaks volumes about his ability to land crushing blows. He fought some of the toughest opponents of his time, such as Floyd Patterson, whom he knocked out in the first round on two separate occasions to claim and defend the heavyweight title.
Beyond his physical abilities, Liston’s mental strength and intimidating presence made him a force to be reckoned with in the ring. His fearless demeanor and relentless aggression often gave him a psychological edge over his opponents, contributing to his consistent dominance in the boxing world.
While some might argue that his alleged ties to organized crime and controversial losses to Muhammad Ali taint his legacy, I believe that Sonny Liston’s exceptional skills, fighting spirit, and undeniable impact on the sport make him one of the best boxers of all time.
Sonny Liston is famous for several techniques that made him a formidable fighter in the ring. Some of these techniques, using technical boxing terms and lexicon, include:
- Stiff, piston-like jab: Liston’s jab was known for its speed, accuracy, and force, effectively disrupting his opponents’ rhythm and setting up powerful combinations.
- Devastating cross: Liston possessed a powerful right cross that followed his jab, capitalizing on the openings created by his lead hand.
- Hook to the body and head: Liston was known for his ability to throw punishing left hooks to both the body and head of his opponents, often wearing them down over time.
- Ring generalship: Liston demonstrated excellent control of the ring, cutting off escape routes and cornering his opponents, which allowed him to land heavy punches more effectively.
- Efficient footwork: Liston’s footwork, while not flashy, was deceptively effective in maintaining optimal distance and positioning in relation to his opponents.
Fun Fact!
Sonny Liston earned the nickname “The Big Bear” primarily because of his imposing size and extraordinary reach. With an 84-inch reach, Liston had one of the longest reaches in heavyweight boxing history at the time. This exceptional reach advantage, coupled with his power aggressive style, allowed him to dominate his opponents from a distance, making it difficult for them to close the gap and effectively counter his attacks. The nickname “The Big Bear” perfectly encapsulates Liston’s intimidating presence in the ring, as he used his physical attributes to instill fear and overwhelm his adversaries.
