Who thinks Max Baer beats Liston

Sonny has the better temperament. A more focussed individual. however, Stylistically I don’t see that Baer is that easy of a fight for Liston. A really big durable man, explosive puncher with stamina.

If I were managing Sonny, I wouldn’t want Liston to meet Baer because there are easier fights out there for Sonny.

Likewise for Baer. There are easier tasks for him than Sonny Liston.

unless this was for a title, it’s a crazy fight to make. Anything could happen.

But the fans would love it.

 

I'll agree with this! Unless it was an eliminator leading to a title shot, or 1 of them had the title, I would think they'd avoid each other. Their management teams would be wise to do that. The Max Baer from Levinsky to Carnera would be a dangerous opponent. Likewise the Liston from Williams to Patterson. Liston would probably be the favorite, but I'm not so sure about that predicting the outcome. Anything could happen in this type of match up. It's very possible for there to be surprises in a fight such as this 1.

 

I wouldn’t favor Baer. But a man with a solid chin, big punch and no fear always has a chance

 

Forgot to respond to this along with @70sFan865 post but I genuinely forgot about those. However, in reading the report about the fight, it seems like Levinsky was gassed after the 12th, and didn't put up much of a fight after, so I'm not impressed. If anything I'd hold that against Baer for not being able to put him away in that state despite having 8 rounds+ to do so.

And let's not act like Levinsky was some top level boxer, he lost one out of three whenever he stepped in the ring and put on an atrocious showing against Louis.
"Levinsky connected with only two punches, one of which landed on Louis's shoulder and the other "looped around Joe's head, as Louis stepped inside and landed his own right." Levinsky was down four times and the referee stopped the fight during the last knockdown. It was Louis's easiest fight to date."

Had Louis went 20 rounds with someone like this, instead of praising his stamina, you'd go on about how he couldn't knock out a guy like that

 

Well, Baer was inexperienced then and for all of Levinsky limitations, he was a world level opponent. We have the footage from this fight and Baer didn't stop comming at him.

Baer also won a 15 rounder decision over Farr. My point is that he didn't have stamina problems.

 

Liston pulverizes him.

 

Baer was a phenomenal athlete. He was naturally strong, quick, and agile with great endurance. He only lacked hand speed because he loaded up like he did and used wide loops to pound power shots around the guard. Baer's problems were injuries and his mental hang ups. He is often mis-characterized as a generic strong man.

 

I make Liston the favorite, but I would not be shock if Baer's right hand found the mark for the ko. We are talking about 2 guys with massive power here. This could go either way imo.

 

...both men have only been stopped 3 times in long grueling careers of 50+ fights. I think something would have to give here.

 

I do not see this one going the full 15 or 12 rounds. One of em will land the bomb or bombs needed to take the other out. I favor Liston because of his jab and better boxing skills, but I can not really write off Baer here because the guy can knock out a bull.

 

Maybe Baer's actions, caused his opponent to gas out, but it's also possible he just gassed from 12 rounds of fighting his fight, with nothing to do with Baer.

Either way, if Levinsky was half as gassed, as the report claims and Baer couldn't put him away in 8 rounds, and it wasn't a stamina issue, it raises serious questions about his finishing ability.

Had Liston let an exhausted and hurt opponent survive for 8 rounds and settle for a decision (against a guy who lost 1 OUT OF 3 times he stepped in the ring, nobody would deem it as an excellent demonstration of stamina.

 

For what it's worth, we have this fight (thanks to @William Walker) and we can judge Baer's stamina with more than just reports:

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The difference in skill levels between the two is huge plus Liston matches Baer in power and chin.
Apart from landing a haymaker somewhere along the line I don’t see how Baer can win this.
Sonny inside 5 with Baer pummelled to a standstill.