Look Who it Was Random video

Sonny Liston vs Gerhard Zech 1.7.1966 (Highlights)

4,819 views · Published 25 February 2017 · 1:57 · Indexed 4 November 2026

Channel: Classic Boxing Matches · 2017 · Sports

Watch on YouTube

German Heavyweight Champion Gerhard Zech, tests his luck against former World Heavyweight Champion, Sonny Liston.  Liston had been out of the ring for 14 months since losing his rematch to Muhammad Ali however he would make a very dominant return.  More info below...

Sonny Liston had been boxing professionally for 13 years and was considered at one time the most dominating and feared heavyweight in all of boxing.  He had beaten top contenders of the era such as Mike DeJohn, Cleveland Williams, Willi Besmanoff, Zora Folley and Eddie Machen before demolishing then World Heavyweight Champion, Floyd Patterson in back to back rematches.  Many fans and boxing officials felt Sonny Liston was a near unbeatable monster now that he was World Champion and when a young, brash challenger named Cassius Clay was picked to be Liston's first opponent, many felt Clay had signed his death warrant.  But to the surprise of many, Liston was soundly beaten over 6 rounds and ended up retiring on his stool suffering an apparent shoulder injury.  In the rematch Liston fared no better against Clay, now called Ali, who scored a 1st round TKO.  Liston took an extended break from the sport but was however booked for a series of fights in Sweden promoted by another former World Champion, Ingemar Johansson.  Liston still held an impressive 35-3 record prior to meeting Gerhard Zech.

Gerhard Zech was a big 6'5" German national who looked very similar to Dolph Lundgren's character, Ivan Drago in Rocky 4.  Zech turned pro in 1959 and was undefeated in 16 fights before suffering his first loss to former Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion, Joe Bygraves by TKO in 1961.  Zech would bounce back however and in 1963 he would beat Albert Westphal by a late TKO to win the vacant German Heavyweight Championship.  Zech picked up the level of his competition following his win over Westphal and won a rematch against Joe Bygraves before traveling State side to challenge Ernie Terrell in a losing effort.  Zech returned to Germany and beat former Italian Heavyweight Champion, Federico Friso, but was stopped in 4 by Zora Folley later in the year.  1965 started well for Zech who would stop Dutch Heavyweight Champion Wim Snoek in 8 and won the rubber match against Joe Bygraves via unanimous decision. Unfortunately the wheels came off at the end of the year when he was KO'd by American Journeyman Dave Bailey in round 2 and lost an uneventful 15 round decision to stable mate and sparring partner, Karl Mildenberger.  Prior to meeting Liston, Zech defended his German Heavyweight title in a rematch with Albert Westphal, scoring a 5th round TKO.  Zech's record was a respectable 32-5-1.

Liston appeared heavy footed on his return to the ring and although he did a good job of bloodying up the German with his deadly left jab, he was struggling to land the knockout blow.  Zech was on the back foot for most of the fight and although occasionally he managed to land some good counter punches, he was well behind on points when Liston finally scored the knockout blow.  Zech managed to rise however his gloves were still on the canvas at the count of 10 and left the ref with no choice but to declare a KO.

Zech would immediately go on to defend his German Heavyweight title against Juergen Blin in back to back rematches, both ending via draw with neither man able to best the other.  In December 1967 Zech had a rematch with Karl Mildenberger for the European Heavyweight title resulting in another lackluster 15 round decision loss.  In 1968 Zech met Juergen Blin for a 3rd time and ended up losing his German heavyweight title over 12 rounds.  Blin and Zech would meet for a 4th and final time in 1969 however no title was on the line and Blin won a 10 round decision ending their feud.  Zech's final fight was a KO loss to Argentinian legend, Gregorio Peralta, after which he retired for a 35-11-3 record.

More from this channel