Скачать с ютуб Sonny Liston vs Albert Westphal 4.12.1961 в хорошем качестве

Sonny Liston vs Albert Westphal 4.12.1961

Former 2x German Heavyweight Champion Albert Westphal faces the fearsome Sonny Liston on US soil. Westphal had never fought outside of Europe and Liston would turn out to be the biggest name he would ever face. More info below... Albert Westphal was a popular German boxer however he had yet make a real name for himself elsewhere in the world. He was small for a heavyweight standing only 5'8" tall but still weighed between 190-200lbs during most of his career so had quite a bulky physique. Westphal turned pro in 1956 however his first 2 years didn't exactly go smoothly and after his first 11 fights Westphal had an unimpressive 7-4 record. In July 1957 Westphal traveled to Spain and fought Spanish Heavyweight Champion, Jose Gonzalez, earning a unanimous 8 round decision. Westphal then traveled to Italy for 2 unsuccessful fights, being stopped in 9 by former European Heavyweight Champion, Franco Cavicchi, and then drawing with current European Light Heavyweight Champion, Artenio Calzavara. Westphal returned to Germany in 1958 and picked up 2 points wins before he was given a shot at the German Heavyweight title, now held by Hans Kalbfell. Westphal would win the title by knocking out Kalbfell in the 5th round however it was his title defenses that really gained Westphal a surge in popularity as he knocked out both former German and European Heavyweight Champion Heinz Neuhaus, and former German and European Light Heavyweight Champion Gerhard Hecht, forcing both of them into retirement. In 1959 Westphal lost his German Heavyweight title back to Hans Kalbfell when he was KO'd in the 10th round. For the rest of 1959 and 1960 Westphal had a good run of success going undefeated in 12 fights the longest wining streak of his career. This included drawing with former Ghanaian Heavyweight Champion Joey Armstrong, a points win over Belgium Heavyweight Champion Alain Cherville, another draw against veteran American Jimmy Slade, stopping French Heavyweight Champion Robert Duquesne and culminated with winning back the German Heavyweight title from Hans Kalbfell in June 1961. Westphal's streak came to end just 3 months later when he lost his German Heavyweight title to undefeated Erich Schoppner. Westphal had a 24-8-3 record heading in against Liston. Liston at this point in time was the most feared and avoided boxer across all divisions. Having lost only 1 of 33 fights, a loss he would avenge twice in rematches, Liston was seen as almost unstoppable. He possessed a freakishly long reach, an imposing 210lb muscular frame and one bad attitude. He had also earned a name for himself as a KO artist, having stopped a number of notable heavyweights of the era including Wayne Bethea, Marty Marshall, Mike DeJohn, Cleveland Williams, Nino Valdes, Willi Besmanoff, Roy Harris and Zora Folley. Liston had a 32-1 record and was the number 1 ranked contender for Floyd Paterson's Heavyweight title. Liston had all the advantages over Westphal. He was 5 inches taller, 17lbs heavier and had an incredible 16 inch reach advantage. Westphal had the notably quicker foot work of the 2 and at times was literally running away however he showed true heart by always coming back and trying to fight his giant opponent. Liston took his time however and continually stalked Westphal around the ring, absorbing the occasional blow but eventually finding the opening he was looking for, flattening Westphal with a picture perfect 1-2 combo. Westphal kept boxing for another 5 years with periodic success. He had 2 more shots at the German Heavyweight title however he was unsuccessful, being stopped by the much younger Gerhard Zech on both occasions. After the second loss to Zech in 1966 Westphal retired from the ring but made a surprise return in 1971 at 39 years old winning 4 fights over a 10 month period against a series of bums. He retired officially in October 1971 with a final record of 42-14-6.