Sonny Liston replaces Mercer against 42 year old Larry Holmes

Liston prime by a brutal KO in the 5-6th rounds.He would have closed the distance easily.

If it's Liston 66-69 version he will lose by unanimous decision against Holmes, He would be kept at bay by Holmes' quick jab.

 

Liston. More skilled than Mercer, better jab, likely hits at least as hard or harder. Middle aged Larry isn't weathering that storm. Stranger things have happened, but I'd be very surprised.

 

If we're talking prime Sonny then the ref would be stopping this to save Holmes from himself. If we're going old to old versions id take Holmes

 

Prime Holmes>prime Liston>old Holmes>old Liston

 

This got me to thinking about a prime Holmes vs prime Liston fight--which is another of those "pay top dollar to see live" hypothetical matchups. I think this would be a FABULOUS fight--and TOUGH to call.

Ultimately--I think this is about as 50-50 a matchup as you'll find--a true deadlock!! I believe it boils down to the following:

1) Can Larry avoid a power shot from Liston for the entire bout? (AND score effectively with his jab while minimizing Sonny's jab)

2) If Sonny connects can he finish off Holmes or can Larry weather the storm as he did against Earnie Shavers?

 

Everyone thought at the time that liston was in his prime after demolishing Patterson twice but then he lost to clay. So he went from being in his prime against Patterson to being past his prime in his very next fight?

 

Don't know why your even quoting me here TBH. I do believe most thought he was prime b4 the Patterson bouts though

 

To be honest, 42 year old Holmes was better than many of prime Liston's opponents.

 

Oh blimey,this is not a nice fight for the older Larry.
I think Liston could very well stop him.

 

Larry Wins.
I like Sonny More,but it is what it is

 

If we’re taking Sonny Liston at his pinnacle and Larry Holmes at 42 then this is a mismatch.

 

Finally a fight where I can pick Liston.

 

Just like Tyson went from being prime against Williams to being past prime against Douglas

 

You could also pick him against Lewis, Tyson, Usyk and Fury