Bowe was probably more skilled but I would still have backed Liston to have beaten him. Riddick's defense was too leaky for Sonny's jab and right cross.
Who fought more ring magazine ranked contenders? Probably Liston. Who was better head to head? Hard to to say. Bowe was the mentally tougher man, I think.
These guys are #5 & #6 on my H2H list and they flip flop all the time. As of 9:30PM today: 1.) Tyson 2.) Ali 3.) Louis 4.) Holmes 5.) Bowe 6.) Liston 7.) Lewis 8.) Foreman 9.) Wlad 10.) Dempsey(?)
Liston. Bowe couldn't use head movement to nod his head. Golota of all people certainly wouldn't have enjoyed the success he had against Bowe with Liston in the ring.
I disagree Bowe was more skilled. Liston was one of very few heavyweights who could fight on the inside and outside. Also, Defense (or in this case Bowe's lack of it) is directly tied to skills imo.
After a bit of thought your comment has made me rethink my opinion on this. Yes,I now agree that Liston's skillset was superior to Big Daddy's.
Just out of curiosity. How can you justify Tyson being number one? I mean don’t get me wrong he was a beast but he lost to all of the best fighters of his day. Though he was a little out of his prime when he fought those guys.
Tyson is even money or better against anyone in history. I can't favor anyone over him. In a round robin fantasy fight tournament I think he does the best and is the most difficult fighter to beat.
Wow this is a tough one! Bowe didn't have the greatest defense in the world, not that Liston's was stellar or anything. Punching power is roughly equal I guess. I think Liston's intestinal fortitude was fine, despite the Ali fights - he was a tough guy who could (and did) dig deep against adversity. Bowe had plenty of heart. I could see Liston maybe scoring a knockdown, don't really see Bowe dropping Liston, though. I suppose Sonny's jab would be the main difference in this fight, opening up opportunities for that hook & more. Gun to the head, I'll go Liston by a couple points.
