Williams had more Ko's than Louis and Marciano. He was a pure puncher with speed...a really tough combo to face.
Liston who had the reach, demonstrated in this fight, how a boxer puncher deals with speed and power. first watch Liston and how he keeps his hand tight next to his head, no hook is going to knock his block off! and watch how Sonny times the punches so he can slip them, even as he moves backwards away from Williams as Williams comes on strong.
It has been pointed out that Sonny fights backwards and forwards, and if you watch, when he attacks, he becomes quite mobile, so his man can never get away. Finally watch how he nullifies the speed of williams with his reach: he uses the jab to just touch Williams enough to throw his punch off. Just enough to double up, or catch williams head coming in on the punch.
Liston does all this so he can work inside. At this range? Well Liston knows Williams has to loop the hook, and this allows him to get there first.
So people ask? how would Liston who some idiots call slow lol, deal with a fast puncher like Tyson? well here is precident. Tyson could not fight going backwards...neither could Williams, but Sonny could. Sonny also punched in bunches, If he didn't he used his jab...Imagine throwing a punch and someone taking a heavy stick and slamming it, point end into your shoulder as you brought the punch around to bare...you have an idea how Liston nullified speed.
I feel that when we make these comparisons we can often use case studies and I believe this fight is a great one. Again Williams had more KO's than Louis and Marciano! he was a murderous puncher.
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