Vitali Klitschko vs Sonny Liston

I believe the 30lbs weight difference would make a big difference because Liston was used to fighting smaller men (same size at most in Cleveland Williams) and his style was adapted to that.
Liston starts off well against Vitali, landing some jabs and body shots, but Vitali wears him out and takes it down the stretch on points.
Sized up I’d pick Liston.

 

Fair post but Liston actually did better against the bigger guys he fought. Of course none of them were even the level below Vitali.

 

Klitschko was rubbish. Absolute stiff as a board, robotic arm puncher. He was double tough though, & that’s why I’m predicting not a KO, but a ruling of manslaughter.

 

I think Vitali survives whatever early onslaught Sonny may have largely due to Vitali’s durability, either finishing Liston late or winning by decision.

 

Liston was used to being the big dog. He might not be able to cope with the size, strength and durability of Vitali. On the other hand he wouldn't be so slow and being as methodical as he was might serve him well against the unorthodox Klitschko.


On a side note it'd be pretty jarring to watch 6'1 Liston beat the 6'7 Viitali to the punch at long range.

 

Liston was a very scary prospect as is. To imagine him in the ring with the unusual distinction of being the faster man on top of his other advantages…this will only end one way.

 

I’m a bit surprised by the negative comments about Klitschko..

Yes, he has often been a bit overrated in a H2H sense, but he was very good.

He had great feet, defensively and offensively enabling him to often get just slight angles on his opponents, and a high workrate - especially considering his size.

Although he wasn’t a huge puncher, you could tell every shot he threw was heavy handed, and he had a serious mean streak.

I dont see Liston being able to get set to throw his powerful long shots much here one Vitali gets in a rhythm.

There seems to be this perception that Klitschko was mostly a big tough guy? He was that, but he also made most of his opponents look inept and foolish via his boxing ability, as unorthodox as his style was..

 

Which is not out of the question since Liston had a longer reach than Vitali 84 inches to 80.

 

Covered in my book

Vitali Klitschko vs. Sonny Liston

This will be a pretty rough fight to watch. Both men hit hard and have durable chins. Liston will be giving up a lot of size, being six inches shorter and forty pounds lighter, but bizarrely having four inches in reach over Klitschko.

Will the size difference be too much for Liston to overcome? Not necessarily, however Klitschko has an iron chin and won’t have an issue with the fight going into deep waters.

Overall, with his massive size, iron chin and powerful punches, Klitschko will be too much for the Big Bear to conquer.

Verdict: TKO win to V. Klitschko in Round Ten.

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Another consideration, and this is getting into the weeds a bit more:

Sonny liked to bend at his back a lot when moving his head, rather than using the hips and knees..

Vitalis stiff-arming and posting tactics would cause a lot of trouble, keeping him off balance, if Liston does this..

 

I would pick Liston over both brothers.

 

Liston stops Vitali around the 8th to 10th rounds. Vitali can't control distance as Liston's jab moves him back.

 

Liston inside 6