Who was the better fighter, Sonny Liston or Evander Holyfield?

You said it! I’m often too lazy to be so thorough in presentation, and this is one of those instances.

I will say Liston’s pre title resume is formidable and the stalling of a shot has to be factored.

However, there is a measure of counter balance re the due and extra credit afforded for successful title defences. It’s often said it’s easier to win the title than it is to hang on to it. This is true at several levels, not the least being that challengers will often bring their A game for the big prize, some even rising above their substantive rating.

But another spanner is that Liston was old and beyond prime and shortly thereafter faced no less than Muhammad Ali who went on to reign acutely supreme.

I do think that Evander was more mentally committed in uber tough fights but then that’s mainly comparing him to the Liston who lost to Ali and a few fights of Sonny’s going forward - that’s not necessarily the last word on a prime Liston however.

 

Evander Holyfield is a league above Sonny Liston there is no true debate.

 

1.Holyfield, Holy has beaten bow, Tyson, Foreman ect.

2.Liston, Liston was an absolute monster.

3.Liston, Cleared out his division

4.Though one to call but I’ll go with Liston

5.Holyfield

6.Probably Holyfield because he has bigger names under his belt.

 

Liston was the better fighter

 

Show your work!!!

 

Liston was a better boxer

 

I don't need to show anything. In my opinion Liston was a better fighter. That's it.

 

1. Evander
2. Evander
3. Evander
4. Evander
5. Evander
6. Evander

 

Sonny Liston in a head to head matchup kills Evander Holyfield. He can't mix with Sonny and he's not a fast mover like a young Ali. I have Sonny solidly in the top 10 alltime around 5 or 6 at least and in head to head matchups there's not many who could take him.

 

Hmm? he was wobbled by a 42 year old Foreman who moved like an oil tanker and who he hit a bazillion times and couldn't get him outta there and he lost the 12th round to an ancient Larry Holmes and you think he'd beat a prime Sonny Liston? Holyfield was good for his time but talking about beating ,all time greats? No

 

Liston imo was the more dominant and better fighter. Better offense better defense more stamina more power.

 

You’re holding it against him because George Foreman managed to wobble him and an old pro stole round 12? Sonny Liston beat Floyd Patterson and guys like Williams lol please stop just look at Holys resume you know old Larry would be arguably the best win on Listons resume.

 

You only reached the count of 6, go all the way to 10 because that's what Evander would hear against Liston as he tries to get to his feet.

 

Holyfield was better, greater and would win head-to-head.

 

Anywhere but here this would be a no brainer.