Prime liston vs prime holmes. Who would back sonny?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Feb 25, 2017.


Page 1 of 4
  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    32,461
    40,660
    Jan 8, 2017
    I have a respect for holmes. He basically ruled the division for 7 years. Yes he was never unified champ but I think most people recognised him as the truth champ despite the other belt holders.

    But the more I study liston the more I think he would defeat him. Liston has that good long reach to battle against holmes excellent own jab. Liston would have been the stronger guy in the ring I believe to. Despite the ali loss s liston was a tough guy in there so I think he would have been walking through any thing holmes threw at him. It certainly wouldn't be a breeze for sonny but I see him knocking down holmes at least once, roughing him up and getting the decision.
     
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    #1
    swagdelfadeel and MUFA$A like this.
  2. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    11,932
    4,694
    Jul 14, 2009
    Holmes UD. Prime Holmes would move and stick the jab all night. Liston who was a bit slow plodding would have triuble closing the gap
     
    THE BLADE 2, Feb 25, 2017
    THE BLADE 2, Feb 25, 2017
    #2
  3. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,103
    5,245
    Mar 22, 2015
    On the one hand where Holmes would usually have an advantage with his jab, this may be nullified by Liston's own jab, and his longer reach.
    However has been said Holmes was a better mover, which may have given him the oppurtunies to get into a rhythm and out jab Sonny.
    Liston had trouble with movers and I think Holmes would eke out a hard fought UD althouth he may have to get up off the canvas to do it.
     
    Cecil, Feb 25, 2017
    Cecil, Feb 25, 2017
    #3
  4. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

    34,250
    5,943
    Apr 30, 2006
    Holmes is too much of what's wrong for Sonny- his movement's better, he's got a great jab himself (and a quicker one), a hell of a chin, and is a bigger heavyweight himself. Holmes UD for me.
     
    Rock0052, Feb 25, 2017
    Rock0052, Feb 25, 2017
    #4
    Rumsfeld and MUFA$A like this.
  5. juppity

    juppity Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,342
    4,354
    Dec 28, 2016
    Larry Holmes had amazing recuperative powers. Coming off canvas against Shavers , Snipes and
    surviving some rough moments in prime against Weaver , Witherspoon.
    LH would be caught and knockdown by SL and have some rough moments but Holmes would as
    always find someway to survive and decision Liston.
    Knockdown 0.43
    ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjK6L4kQwKo
    This content is protected
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2017
    juppity, Feb 25, 2017
    juppity, Feb 25, 2017
    #5
    Ken Ashcroft likes this.
  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    32,461
    40,660
    Jan 8, 2017
    If old shavers could drop Larry then can definitely see liston doing so. And I'm talking prime liston so he would be quicker off the mark. Snipes was another that dropped holmes. Yes he got up to win but liston could do some serious damage in their if he caught u.
     
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    #6
  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    32,461
    40,660
    Jan 8, 2017
    Oh he definitely had great recovery and I don't think liston would knock Larry out but I think he could hurt him in there enough to shake him put him down at least once and grind out a decision. Larry s a great champ and ton of respect for him, just that he battled to the finish line with a ageing Norton, dropped by a old shavers, and struggled with witherspoon and Williams. This is not a criticism of Larry but a feeling that a prime liston would have a better night against holmes than a lot of fighters.
     
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    #7
    MUFA$A likes this.
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

    32,461
    40,660
    Jan 8, 2017
    And I don't pick many heavy s really tu beat holmes cos he was so damn good but do think liston as the qualitys to do it.
     
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 25, 2017
    #8
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    114,868
    51,999
    Mar 21, 2007
    Holmes might back Liston; he said it would be one of the more difficult fights from the division's history for him.

    Not sure I agree. Holmes has that mobility. Then again, he's not a dancer, he's "just" a mobile war-machine, and not one that's disciplined about holding or running when in trouble. Liston might get him.
     
    McGrain, Feb 25, 2017
    McGrain, Feb 25, 2017
    #9
    MUFA$A likes this.
  10. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,187
    1,302
    Mar 20, 2013
    Toss up
     
    louis54, Feb 25, 2017
    louis54, Feb 25, 2017
    #10
    RockyJim likes this.
  11. juppity

    juppity Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,342
    4,354
    Dec 28, 2016
    A good dream fight post ensures
    A. Variety of answers
    B. Robust debate
    C. Open to interpretation
    Fergy as always your dream fight posts cover ABC .
     
    juppity, Feb 25, 2017
    juppity, Feb 25, 2017
    #11
    Fergy likes this.
  12. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

    34,250
    5,943
    Apr 30, 2006
    Good points. I can see the argument for Liston, too.
     
    Rock0052, Feb 25, 2017
    Rock0052, Feb 25, 2017
    #12
  13. MUFA$A

    MUFA$A FEAR * THE * TANK Full Member

    1,478
    954
    Aug 17, 2016
    That's Awesome . But When did Holmes speak on fighting Sonny Liston ? Because I would love to read more about it .
    Holmes rarely admits any fighter would trouble him , he must think highly of Liston to say that .
     
    MUFA$A, Feb 25, 2017
    MUFA$A, Feb 25, 2017
    #13
  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    55,355
    49,942
    Apr 27, 2005
    A decent argument for either can be put forward. Liston's jab and reach would offset the Holmes jab quite a bit. There would be trades at various points and if and when Liston hurt Holmes he would be a lot more difficult to fend off than lesser fighters like Snipes, Weaver and Shavers.

    The first critical juncture is how the battle of the jabs pans out. If Liston matches him or thereabouts he'd win imo. If he doesn't he may have to rely on stopping him.

    Great match.
     
    JohnThomas1, Feb 25, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Feb 25, 2017
    #14
    Reinhardt, ETM, Fergy and 1 other person like this.
  15. MUFA$A

    MUFA$A FEAR * THE * TANK Full Member

    1,478
    954
    Aug 17, 2016
    There's not many HWs I personally would pick against Prime Sonny Liston . He was Extraordinary , Powerful and brutal with skill .

    Its pain me to say it but I pick Holmes to beat Liston on points . He has everything that is needed to conquer The Big Bear .
     
    MUFA$A, Feb 25, 2017
    MUFA$A, Feb 25, 2017
    #15
    RockyJim likes this.
Page 1 of 4