Sonny Liston vs Lennox Lewis

Nah fr majority of the comments on the thread are so corny

 

Liston knocks him out in 4.

Lewis wins best 2 out of 3.

 

Lewis easily, Liston's h2h accomplishments are almost laughable.

 

A GREAT hypothetical matchup--I'd definitely fork over some serious cash for a ringside seat to this one!!

Honestly, this is a tough one to call--I think it boils down to who makes the first critical mistake.

All things equal I give the slightest edge to Sonny due to his heavier jab--and his reach would offset what would normally be a decided advantage for Lewis. I also think Liston had the better chin. (If they fought 100 times I think Sonny would have 53 wins--Lennox 45--with 2 draws.)

 

Holy S LL would beat the F out of Sonny Liston lol do people know Liston’s the guy whose best win is guys 20lbs lighter… and Cleveland Williams?

 

SRS - “B-but Rahman”

 

I am going with Lennox Lewis, BUT ...

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Horrible, horrible matchup for Liston.

Bigger and faster at Heavyweight is in itself almost a death sentance (look at someone like Ali), but Lewis also had a higher ring IQ, was just as good if not better technically, punched every bit as hard, had a superb jab himself, and even if you do believe Liston's reach was truly 84 inches, he doesn't even have that advantage going in here.

Is there a chance that Liston could catch Lewis and give him the Rahman treatment ? Sure, but there was also a chance he would have given Ali the Cooper treatment except worse, and it didn't happen. I doubt it happens with Lewis if he shows up looking to win.

 

Totally agree MM ace post.

 

Seeing Liston get shell shocked, stunned and discouraged so badly against Ali’s shots should be a little disheartening for a SL die hard… Williams almost had SL out, LL would be by far the puncher of Listons life and the only person who Liston fought he didn’t outweigh that was any good (great) beat him so easily it was embarrassing… he quit because he just wasn’t up to scratch as a boxer, he was easily floored by Ali the 2nd time and on route to be played with… he had the whole world thinking it was a dive it was that bad, but that punch Ali landed was actually just quite an aberration of technique for the lip lol.

 

Liston was a terrifying physical specimen — brutal power, a jab that could stop opponents cold, and a very aggressive style. He dominated his era with sheer force and intimidation.

Lewis, meanwhile, was a more technical, modern heavyweight. Tall, with excellent footwork, a sharp jab, and a devastating right hand, he combined power with ring IQ and adaptability.

If they fought in their primes, I think Lewis’s size and technical skill might give him the edge. He could use his reach and movement to keep Liston at bay and avoid those crushing power shots.

But Liston’s aggression and raw power mean he’d constantly be pressing, looking for that one big punch to change everything.

It would be a fascinating clash — Lewis likely winning by decision or late stoppage, but Liston could never be counted out because of his sheer physicality and knockout ability.

 

Well said.

 

The sheer physicality of a cruiser-weight with the speed of a SHW.

 

You clearly don’t know about the time Bert Sugar witnessed Sonny Liston throwing an elephant across the continent. He is 8’6 and 640 lbs in actuality with a measured reach of over 160 inches. Little Lewis stands no chance.