Sonny Liston vs Mike Tyson

Liston is a bad matchup for Tyson.

 

Tyson has a better chance against Sonny than Frazier, Dempsey, Marciano and other swarmers do. His speed, chin, outside game, size with regard to weight are relevant factors here, though I do favour Liston.

 

I think Marciano gets obliterated in the worst possible fashion out of the bunch. He doesn't have the speed factor the others do

 

I would say Dempsey might perform better than Frazier against Liston, primarily due to how insanely explosive and fast he is early on in a fight. Liston had competent defense but he was hittable and while that's never a good sign against Dempsey, I think Liston could probably take what Dempsey dishes out and counter him effectively. I don't think Jack can take Liston's shots

 

You shouldn’t have gone there.

 

Liston was too good a boxer (overall better in that department than Foreman and Frazier for sure). He could acclimate to his opponent's style. He also could not he intimidated.

Mike shakes the hell out of Liston early on, but the latter cools out and applies the jab. Mike gets a smashing right uppercut when he tries to come in, staggering across the ring but Liston remains patient. From this point Mike gets cautious, and that's what loses him the fight.

After round after round of having his whole day ruined by the jab, Mike gets struck by a thunderous right and left hook, counted out in 9.

 

I like this. I've said repeatedly, peak Liston wasn't just a mindless slugger, he was a polished BOXER with excellent technique and skills.

But I'll repeat myself again ... peak Mike Tyson on a given night could (emphasis on could, not would) beat any heavyweight who ever lived.

 

If Liston could be intimidated by Ali, imagine how he would act with Tyson in front of him.

Liston quits round 3.

 

What the hell did I just read…