The best version of Lyle fights the 1960 Sonny Liston who was on the rampage in the heavyweight division. Liston is the favorite but Lyle is a live underdog. Thoughts?
Sonny Liston at his peak did not have a psyche injured jaw like George Foreman had on Jan 24 1976. Liston would have not engaged in a war of the Corrections Residents. Sonny instead would have kept Ron Lyle at the end of his long left jab, setting up his trademark knockout left hand. Liston by TKO 5.
One might say Lyle had a bigger heart and a more proven chin and that he has a better chance then given credit for.
Entertaining bout with two strong guys that are dangerous. Liston gets separation here because of his boxing ability. Lyle was probably just as strong (perhaps). Sonny's lefthand was like a machine and his hook was kinda quick. Ron Lyle did very well in his career considering what he had been through. He learned late but he did become a good contender. I think he was a little more mechanical in his movements. Liston was more natural, more fluid with more seasoning. I think Sonny eventually batters Ron in submission around the 6 or 7th round with some fireworks along the way.
I disagree regarding Liston's heart. When just looking at the circumstances of his life and what he accomplished. Coming out of prison all the way to the title. That took tremendous determination.
Agreed, it took a lot of fortitude to overcome the shortcoming of life's obstacles that Sonny Liston had to endure, he did not have a loving mother and father to stand by his side that many have.
It was pretty ugly. Not just poverty , abused, abandoned, he had birdtracks on his back from that whip.
Back in 1997 I saw an HBO Documentary about Sonny Liston, one of his sparring partners talked about the Bird Tracks on his back, very tragic.
If Liston boxes, he does better. If he engages in a rumble, Lyle shakes him along the way. Liston might even visit the canvas.
Liston already beat Lyles of his era and I don't think Ron is much better than Williams or Valdes. He is probably a bit better, but Liston dominated the two, so I don't see any reason to prefer Lyle in this matchup.
This. Ron will probably knock some serious sweat off of Liston's head and quite possibly stagger him, but Liston was just a better fighter.
Lyle tries, he really does. Maybe he stuns Liston a time or two. But big, bad, Sonny gives it back. In a short, action packed few rounds, Liston comes out the Victor, with Lyle crashed out on the canvas. Liston wko 4.