Sonny Liston vs Tim Witherspoon, both prime.

Tim is kinda underrated...but Sonny aswell. I favor Liston. He has the advantage on power, reach and punch selection. But it could be a lot work for Sonny, cause Witherspoon is a very good allround fighter... very ballanced with better defensive skills.

 

Liston should be favored. But if Tim is well trained and motivated it could be a very tough night

 

Not saying Tim would win but he could furnish Sonny with a very interesting evening.

 

Every time I watch Tim fight I wonder why he didn't take over from Holmes as the HW of the 80s. Maybe he just got in his head too much? But either way I fancy his chances, he was quick, had an excellent jab, crushing overhand right and apart from Bonecrusher 2 he could take a punch. I maybe wrong but I think he has the edge in speed over Sonny and I don't think he would be intimidated, after all he fought Larry Holmes in his 16th fight and ran him close. If he had pushed hard for the final few rounds he may have won and I rate Holmes above Liston so if his head is in the game I see him squeaking a close decision, maybe in a surprisingly tactical battle.

 

Liston was too powerful and too good a boxer to allow Tim more than 5 rounds imo.

I do think Tim would have made the rounds before his demise quite interesting, especially if he applied the techniques he used against Holmes to nullify the jab. The problem is, though Sonny's jab was a bit slower than Larry's it was a total day-ruiner when it came to sheer power. Larry got through and messed up Tim's victory, Liston's would get through less but be even more daunting when landing.

I also see Tim's overhand providing some quite interesting moments.

Liston's adaptibility is well documented, by the 5th round Tim would be getting hit with shots he'd never have experienced as a pro before or after. I don't see 'Spoon going down for the count, rather getting hit with such nasty, significant punches as to lose his legs and have the ref end it.

 

I see something like 7-5 Liston, but I consider Sonny a master boxer with dreadnought power. It's a high praise towards Tim.

 

I favor Liston but a fully motivated Witherspoon would be a handful

 

Gotta go with Sonny. Def. UD with a decent chance of an inside the distance victory.

Tim will still be tough of course and give Sonny some moments of pause.

Ironically, I always thought young Tim (and even now) bore a reasonable facial resemblance to Liston - perhaps also I see some similarities in build but not as much as the face.

 

This isn't a easy one imo for either man.
Both heavy handed, excellent chins and savvy.
I lean toward Liston but look how close TW came to beating Holmes.

 

Same here Richard. Was a good fight pal.
I'm sure Tim remembers it well too.