Sonny Liston vs Joe Louis

imo liston.better jab,stronger,more powerful,better chin.louis is not very fast on his feet,liston is gonna catch him sooner or later,and we know joe's chin is not very good.
if louis tries to brawl with liston,he is out.just can't see louis outboxing liston.max baer had some success with his jab against louis
liston ko 4

 

I disagree. No one in history can outslug joe louis. Joe Louis is the greatest puncher of all time. Power, Handspeed, Technique, Accuracy, Combinations...Louis rates at the very top on all 5 categories.

 

Louis KO1... not really, but I do see Louis stopping Liston at some point. What's with all the Liston love lately? He was good, even great... but some people overrate him.

 

louis is maybe the greatest puncher ever,but can his chin hold up against a skilled puncher like liston?

 

I think that's the big question.

I really like Joe Louis in this fight, due to his combination punching ability, mental toughness, ring savy, and ability to rise off the canvas to win fights....But, Liston is a nightmare in the early rounds.... It would probably be one of the more interesting fantasy fights to see.

 

Louis' handspeed combined with crushing power spells doom for Liston. Max Baer was a muderous puncher too and Louis did not exactly have a glass jaw. Liston, of course, is hugely dangerous here because of his pulverizing jab, hulking physique, excellent chin and durability, underrated boxing skill. However, speed was not his hallmark and if Louis slips Liston's jab he is going to rip Liston to the head and body. Liston had a great uppercut too but don't expect Louis to just stand in the pocket to get hit with it. Louis will be in and out and his left hand close his face would have protected him and allowed him to block Liston's vaunted uppercut. Liston takes a fearful beating and no one could question his heart after this fight.

Louis KO 7

 

Louis by stoppage. This would be one of his easier outings vs. ATG Heavies IMO. I rate Liston highly head-to-head, but he isn't too hard to figure out, and if you're not hard to figure out against Louis, you're probably going to get brutally knocked out. Liston's relative lack of hand-speed and flat-footed tendencies would leave him wide open for counters, and Louis would quickly get inside his jab and unload with his shorter combinations and compact power.

Liston's jab would be pretty much a non-factor. He'd be better off digging in and trying to let off the raw power, hoping that he catches Louis with something and puts him away early. Still, don't see it happening, with Louis' vast edge in speed to the punch and more advanced offensive mechanisms. Louis KO5 Liston.

 

Liston didn't always start fast against good fighters though, don't let the Patterson fights fool ya. This is Joe Louis we are talking about, not Wayne Bethea or Frankie Daniels. This isn't some pure banger with a shaky chin like Cleveland Williams. This isn't a... very good boxer but with fair power and durability like Zora Folley.

 

I think Liston can KO Louis, he is like a bigger stronger version with a superior jab, Louis himself had problems with great jabbers and this would set up attacks. louis is faster but Liston has the better timing and hits far harder for my money, plus Louis like to use those fast hands on the inside/mid range and Liston is a killer at those ranges

 

Would it help if I go through Louis's opponents saying why Liston isn't the same fighter as them How about Liston isn't a 167lb Super Middleweight?

 

I agree 100%...No one can trade punches who is a standup fighter,ala Liston with the young Joe Louis..Can't be done as Louis hit so FAST,precision accuracy,and hit like a coil spring unwinding...Against Liston Joe would be the " fustus with the mostess "...Hand speed kills and Louis had just that...

 

I think Louis is a better puncher, but it's hardly the deciding factor. Because of Liston's style, i think this is such a hard fight for Louis, it's so hard to close the space when your opponent has an amazing jab that sets up power battering attacks like Liston's. What Louis undoubtedly has over Liston is a bigger will to win for my liking. I feel so strongly about that, i'm guessing i'll be challenged on that point though. If what i've said on the latter aspect of the fight is true though, then in real terms (and not on paper) it can mean the difference.

Someone by ko, i'm leaning towards Louis going through maybe the hardest fight of his career (all his getting up off the canvas efforts withstandinf) to win. But i'm not conclusive.

 

I have always voted for Louis in this "classic" fantasy fight, and speed has been the biggest factor in that.

I do see certain counterpoints to my position, but on ballance I will gamble against them.