Ron Lyle vs Cleveland Williams

I would go with Lyle because I feel he was the more complete fighter. But what a scrap that would be!

 

Really? I thought Williams-Liston and Lyle-Foreman made it clear Williams was the superior fighter. Much better defense, better combinations, more speed, better skilled, etc.

He could also hold his own against sicksters Ala Machen unlike Lyle who failed to take more than a single round against Young in two fights.

 

Lyle!
Better wins, more powerful, better chin and two hands power.
Williams is limited, Lyle could box just check Ali and Bugner fights.

 

Also I cant see Lyle being knocked cold by Satterfield or by Ali.

 

Williams was a 20 years old, last minute sub when he fought Satterfield,and a badly health compromised fighter when he fought Ali. Lyle was stopped by Ali , who didnt hit as hard as Wiliams did you see that coming? lol.

 

At his best, I'd gamble on the Big Cat.

 

But he still lost and that was his 30th fight so he was not green at all.
And Satterfield was LHW who was knocked out by MW Jake LaMotta.

But not KOed like Williams, and went 11 full rounds with Ali.

Lyle was also wounded, was dead, was in prison and started boxing at age 30.
There are excuses for Lyle too.

Wasn't that same Williams stopped by Ali easier than Lyle?
Wasn't he stopped by LHW Satterfield?

 

Young was more slick boxer, whereas Machen was slick boxer/puncher, so the styles gelled more for Machen/Williams. But we could talk nuances all day on this one and probably not get anywhere. I do feel Lyle was more complete, but that's not to say you feel the opposite. Suffice to say I think we would both agree it would be a great fight.

 

Prime Big Cat takes him out within three rounds IMO. No matter how many people try to spin it here, Ron Lyle had a compelling and uplifting story but he was not a historically elite boxer or “if only X, Y or Z had happened” ATG. He just wasn’t.

 

Lyle beat Mathis,Peralta,Ellis,Shavers,Bugner,Bonavena, while Williams best wins are draw with Machen and win against green Terrel, so it's easy pick unless if Liston paroles see my oppinion and say otherwise.

 

I have to go with Lyle. If Williams knocks Lyle down, Lyle gets up. Once Lyle knocks Williams down, I don't know if he recovers. If Shavers and Foreman didn't quickly KO Lyle, I don't see why Williams would be expected to do so.

Lyle is like the discount, off brand version of Sonny Liston. But he does have good punching power and a reasonable heavyweight chin.

 

It should almost be mandatory for threads like these to have a poll. This matchup got done the other day i think, not sure if ti had a poll.

 

He doesn't need to be an ATG to win this fight. I mean, this has the makings of an entertaining brawl, but ultimately, this goes to the one who can take it the best. They both can dish it.

 

Williams is just the man to bring out Lyle’s inner beast.

This fight would have good promise to be a cracker.