Dream match: Lennox Lewis on (October 31, 1992) vs. Sonny Liston on (sept. 25, 1962)

[BUDW]

Liston by KO 8-9 rds in he nails Lewis and ends fight.

[rekcutnevets]

Lewis, though their reach is near equal, has a size advantage. All in all, Lewis is the bigger man. Lewis has better one punch power, and he definitely will against Liston since he is punching down. I think their speed differential will not come into play.

Lewis' heavy feet would be his downfall against the smooth stepping Liston. Liston has, at minimum, a jab equal to that of Lewis; and would not lose the jab battle. Liston would step around his too steady foot opponent, and beat him to the punch time after time. Expect a fight similar to Lewis' fight with Mercer, only picture Mercer gently moving around Lewis to set up angles.

I started to pick a Liston victory by ko, but I've changed my mind. Lewis, who is 6'5" tall, would smother Liston by leaning on his shoulders the same way Razor Ruddock was able to do to smother Tyson. Liston by decision.

[Seamus]

Originally Posted by rekcutnevets

the smooth stepping Liston.

These are the most hilarious words ever put together.

Liston fought oh-so-many skilled giants in his career. No wait! That all-time great Cleveland Williams!

There is no precedent for Liston beating a skilled giant like Lewis. Meanwhile, Lewis KO'd Phil Jackson, who is essentially a 90's version of Liston in both skill and talent.

[Ted Stickles]

Lewis

[Muchmoore]

Originally Posted by Holmes' Jab

So Lenny doesn't have top bracket power and boxing skill then? Hmm.

He does but his style and chin make it very hard for him to get a win over Liston. You have to be VERY fast and be able to soak up punishment to beat a peak Liston.

[Muchmoore]

Originally Posted by Seamus

There is no precedent for Liston beating a skilled giant like Lewis. Meanwhile, Lewis KO'd Phil Jackson, who is essentially a 90's version of Liston in both skill and talent.

Wow. Liston was a monster at his peak watch his peak performances before he won the title.

[RoccoMarciano]

Considering the guys that starched Lewis... he better spend a GREAT deal of time preparing for any match with Liston. If lazy Lennox doesn't take the time to prepare for Liston, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes - Liston will knock him out of them!

[crippet]

If Ali's phantom punch can KO Liston, then Lewis's overhand right will knock him into another state

[JohnThomas1]

Originally Posted by Russell

So how many pounds what Liston be giving away here, exactly?

Peak to peak 30 pounds is almost exact and 4 1/2 inches height disadvantage.

[Bokaj]

It seems most guys here know more about both Liston and Lewis than I do, so I'm loathe to make definite prediction. My take on it, though, is that Liston seemed to advance with straight back (in other words he didn't do much bobbing and weaving) relying on his great jab, and that's always difficult to pull off against a bigger guy that's as powerful and has such a good jab as Lewis.

[Ezzard]

Originally Posted by Russell

Frank Bruno had an unbelievable jab.

Don't think it's fair to sell Lennox short just because of that facet of it.

I think Liston's was better though. Liston had more to his game and IMO would have handled Bruno better. Lewis either blasted out dangerous guys early or fought cautiously (nothing wrong with that) to a points win. I can't see him pulling off either against Sonny.

[Ezzard]

Originally Posted by Seamus

These are the most hilarious words ever put together.

Liston fought oh-so-many skilled giants in his career. No wait! That all-time great Cleveland Williams!

There is no precedent for Liston beating a skilled giant like Lewis. Meanwhile, Lewis KO'd Phil Jackson, who is essentially a 90's version of Liston in both skill and talent.

Hi Seamus,

You're no fan of Liston though...

[Mendoza]

Originally Posted by Sardu

This is the young superstar who vaporized the feared Donovan "Razor" Ruddock vs. The feared, bruttish, ex-con with the hulking physique and baleful stare. Who wins this fight when both men were at or near their absolute physical prime. Both are gifted punchers with different styles and personas. Lewis is the reserved, but jovial giant who loves reggae music and chess. Liston is the morose bully who had a terrible, brutal childhood and kept those scars with him to his early death in 1971.


I don't think it would be as difficult for Lennox as many people think. He will be the bigger, stronger guy, he's more athletic, has just as much punching power and more speed. Liston will soon find out that Lennox is not Mike DeJohn, Cleveland Williams or Zora Foley. Although they were all fine fighters. Lennox Lewis by early kayo in four rounds.

Lennox Lewis KO 4 Sonny Liston

I flip flop on this one. Today I'm going with Lewis because I think he would prepare right for Liston, and beat him to the punch in general.

Originally Posted by JohnThomas1

Peak to peak 30 pounds is almost exact and 4 1/2 inches height disadvantage.

Yeah, peak for peak 30 pounds is about right. On the dates specified however Liston was 214 and Lewis was (I think) 227 or 229, making it 13 or 15 pounds between them.

Until recently every source I ever read had Liston's height at 6'1 1/2 but boxrec have chipped him down to 6'0 1/2.

As a sidenote - Heights and tale-of-the-tape measurements are usually unreliable, not at all precise, not really regulated by any standards. A neck might tape at 17" or 19" on the same day, for instance, depending on who's holding the tape and where abouts on the neck it is. A chest can vary even more. Everybody who met Jack Dempsey said he had huge hands, but the tape measure has them down as small.Scott LeDoux says that he thinks Lennox Lewis is at least 6'6". Most people will find that they vary slightly in height every time they measure their height.

[Mike South]

Lewis, with one hand tied behind his back.