Joe Louis vs Sonny Liston

[hobgoblin]

Originally Posted by rekcutnevets

I think this one goes the distance. I don't see Joe knocking Liston out fighting in the fashion I described.

I think Louis can win a close decision, winning with crisp combinations.

A fight between these two guys is very unlikely to go the distance. If Louis lands those crisp combinations - I don't think Liston will be standing for long. Those were paralyzing shits that made you susceptible and open for KO punches. If it does go the distance, it means it was a boxing match - and I think Listons wins points - that's just me. btw, i originally made a typo (notice the o and i are very near on the keyboard) and i decided not to correct it.

[rekcutnevets]

If Louis fights in the manner I mentioned, I think that Sonny will bump him enough to keep Louis from getting great leverage on his punches. I think that Louis' edge in hand speed will still allow him to land some good combinations.

That is why I predict the decision win.

[JohnThomas1]

Originally Posted by Homicidal Hank

I don't understand this last bit. I have never seen a fighter of alleged excellence look more stupid than Louis did in his first fight with Max Schmeling.

Was he peak or still learning? Marvin did some pretty silly things vs Leonard too and he was seasoned. Louis shored up some weaknesses and come back a better fighter. Many are never as good again.

[Holmes' Jab]

I think that Louis would stop Sonny in the later rounds (whilst being behind on the scorecards)

Louis TKO13 Liston

[Bummy Davis]

Louis by KO

[Amsterdam]

Liston in 8 rounds. However, this would be one of the best fights ever possibly from a standpoint of HW technical skill and power mixed into one.

I love boxing.

[rekcutnevets]

This topic was up not too long ago. I picked Louis there. I said that I thought he would have to try to fight Liston the way he tried to fight Marciano. A younger version of Joe would be more effective than an older Joe obviously. This is the only way I can see him having chance against Liston. Liston was too much bull for Joe to bully.

I started a thread about Joe Louis vs. Jack Johnson some time ago, and I have seen a post here and there showing that some remember it. In it Johnson talked of Louis' being vulnerable to a right cross. Liston could find him with that cross of his, and eating his would fill you up faster than Schmeling's would.

I think I'm picking Liston this week, by ko. I may change to Joe next week. This one is a pick 'em for me.

[rekcutnevets]

Actually, this is the same thread I had originally posted in.

[Longhhorn71]

Very interesting match-up.

Louis stood up to Max Baer's punches, Liston to Cleve Williams'.

Louis had his Billy Conn, & Liston had his CC / Ali.

What Clay did to Liston was to not be intimidated by Liston's "evil eye"
staredown....the bully now was not the bully.

If Louis doesn't blink, then he is the better technical fighter and could /should win the decision. But if he blinks, then see the Tony Galento type left hook on the Bomber's jaw, except this time he doesn't get up.

[C. M. Clay II]

This would be the battle of the jabs, as both men had superb straight lefts. Both men are two of the most complete heavyweight machines of all-time.Louis has the faster hands and the slightly better combinations, but Liston has the power, and the ringsmarts advantage, not to mention durability. This would be a chess match early on. Liston would be slightly out pointing Liston, and so Louis knowing he is behind will be more aggressive. This would allow Liston to make use of his tremendous power and body attack. Louis would be vulnerable to his famous left hook and his dynamite right hand. I see Liston grinding out a mid to late round knockout, being slightly ahead on the cards.

Sonny Liston KO 9 Joe Louis

[jyuza]

Prime Sonny would win the fight imo.

Better jab, great chin, KO power in both hands... Liston is just the better fighter.
Louis may slightly be the better boxer for some but I don't think he is.

Liston TKO 5

[la-califa]

Liston chased Clay around the ring, but really could not land any signifigant punches. Louis would use his boxing skills to keep away & soften up Liston for about a tenth or eleventh round knockout. Louis was slick enough to avoid Liston's punches while landing his own hard shots, which would be the main difference.

[C. M. Clay II]

Originally Posted by la-califa

Liston chased Clay around the ring, but really could not land any signifigant punches. Louis would use his boxing skills to keep away & soften up Liston for about a tenth or eleventh round knockout. Louis was slick enough to avoid Liston's punches while landing his own hard shots, which would be the main difference.

I could do the same thing.

Louis chased Walcott around the ring, but really could not land any signifigant punches. Liston would use his boxing skills to keep away & soften up Louis for about a tenth or eleventh round knockout. Liston was slick enough to avoid Louis' punches while landing his own hard shots, which would be the main difference.

[Holmes' Jab]

Originally Posted by Muchmoore

Liston had the edge in most categories by a little bit.

Aye like handspeed and combination punching. Fair enough he had perhaps the slight edge in power and pure strength.

Back to the topic, I do think Listons jab would give Louis potential fits. However eventually Louis body attack will wear Liston down,it's no secret that this would have more success as the fight wears on (providing Louis boxes smart and avoids big shots early on), enough for a late stoppage. The longer this one goes on the more it plays right into Louis hands. A mid-round Liston stoppage also isn't outta the question should Louis get sloppy

[Duodenum]

I like Louis in this one. I think Joe was the superior defensive boxer at slipping punches when moving in, and he put shorter punches together better than Sonny. My belief is that Louis slips Liston's jab on the way inside, and then drives Liston back by coming up with combinations between Sonny's longer arms. Louis was the most accurate of the HW champs, and wouldn't have had a particularly hard time connecting with Sonny's head, especially since the less mobile Liston would be fighting tall in this one. That could result in him retreating for a change, a bad situation for Liston. To back Joe up as Godoy did, a much lower center of gravity was necessary, an advantage Liston would not have enjoyed,

Once inside, Joe would need far less room to pull the trigger than Sonny required. Louis's jab was faster, and his hook was much shorter, and would have been delivered in a tighter arc than Liston's. Louis would split Sonny's arms and feet, securing the center line for himself. Punch for punch, Liston's longer hook may have been harder than anything Louis had in his arsenal, but shorter, sharper, more accurate combinations decide this one between Liston's arms and wider base.

Louis was one individual who Sonny was actually afraid of, and Joe wouldn't have been intimidated if they'd met in the ring. Joe scored fairly quick kayos over larger, stronger, and harder punching opponents than himself. He would enjoy a substantial edge in leverage and technique.

Sonny was physically tough, but his mental durability was a different matter. Joe probably stops him in the middle rounds, after continually driving Sonny back with his efficient attack. Bottom line is that this is won by punching, and Liston's few big guns are overwhelmed by Joe's far more numerous smaller arms.