Ron Lyle vs Sonny Liston primes

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Ali Holmes, Jan 3, 2022.


  1. Ali Holmes

    Ali Holmes Active Member banned Full Member

    582
    519
    Dec 23, 2021
    The best version of Lyle fights the 1960 Sonny Liston who was on the rampage in the heavyweight division.

    Liston is the favorite but Lyle is a live underdog. Thoughts?
     
  2. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    22,635
    30,398
    Jul 16, 2019
    Sonny Liston at his peak did not have a psyche injured jaw like George Foreman had on Jan 24 1976. Liston would have not engaged in a war of the Corrections Residents. Sonny instead would have kept Ron Lyle at the end of his long left jab, setting up his trademark knockout left hand. Liston by TKO 5.
     
  3. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

    19,031
    21,047
    Sep 22, 2021
    One might say Lyle had a bigger heart and a more proven chin and that he has a better chance then given credit for.
     
  4. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    13,250
    11,578
    Mar 19, 2012
    Entertaining bout with two strong guys that are dangerous. Liston gets separation here because of his boxing ability. Lyle was probably just as strong (perhaps). Sonny's lefthand was like a machine and his hook was kinda quick.
    Ron Lyle did very well in his career considering what he had been through. He learned late but he did become a good contender. I think he was a little more mechanical in his movements.
    Liston was more natural, more fluid with more seasoning. I think Sonny eventually batters Ron in submission around the 6 or 7th round with some fireworks along the way.
     
  5. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    13,250
    11,578
    Mar 19, 2012
    I disagree regarding Liston's heart. When just looking at the circumstances of his life and what he accomplished. Coming out of prison all the way to the title. That took tremendous determination.
     
  6. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    22,635
    30,398
    Jul 16, 2019
    Agreed, it took a lot of fortitude to overcome the shortcoming of life's obstacles that Sonny Liston had to endure, he did not have a loving mother and father to stand by his side that many have.
     
  7. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

    13,250
    11,578
    Mar 19, 2012
    It was pretty ugly. Not just poverty , abused, abandoned, he had birdtracks on his back from that whip.
     
  8. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

    19,031
    21,047
    Sep 22, 2021
    I’m not saying he lacked it, Lyle had heart and guts where it counted and had life just as bad.
     
  9. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

    22,635
    30,398
    Jul 16, 2019
    Back in 1997 I saw an HBO Documentary about Sonny Liston, one of his sparring partners talked about the Bird Tracks on his back, very tragic.
     
  10. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

    7,226
    7,693
    Nov 3, 2021
    Ron Lyle simply not a boxer of champion qualities.
     
  11. Ali Holmes

    Ali Holmes Active Member banned Full Member

    582
    519
    Dec 23, 2021
    If Liston boxes, he does better. If he engages in a rumble, Lyle shakes him along the way. Liston might even visit the canvas.
     
  12. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,547
    9,574
    May 30, 2019
    Liston already beat Lyles of his era and I don't think Ron is much better than Williams or Valdes. He is probably a bit better, but Liston dominated the two, so I don't see any reason to prefer Lyle in this matchup.
     
  13. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,640
    11,487
    Mar 23, 2019
    This. Ron will probably knock some serious sweat off of Liston's head and quite possibly stagger him, but Liston was just a better fighter.
     
  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    29,226
    35,636
    Jan 8, 2017
    Lyle tries, he really does.
    Maybe he stuns Liston a time or two.
    But big, bad, Sonny gives it back.
    In a short, action packed few rounds, Liston comes out the Victor, with Lyle crashed out on the canvas.
    Liston wko 4.
     
  15. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    24,055
    17,553
    Apr 26, 2006
    This content is protected