Me and my friends argue about this all the time, personally I think Liston wins. He has a longer reach and a jab so strong i honestly dont think Foreman can get in for a brawl. While yes foreman was extremely good at cornering his opponents this isnt a situation where “oh hes in the corner, hes abt to get knocked out.” No I think Liston could handle himself very well in a brawl against Foreman. Is Liston flatout a harder puncher? Probably not But could Liston hold is own in a hitting match? I wouldnt bet on him against basically anyone. anyways I joke woke up and thought abt this in the shower so sorry if it looks like Skitzo ramblings.
Foreman would beat him unless Sonny boxes like Young or Peralta and maybe survive the distance and win in later rounds.
Hey buddy, Maybe you should look up my post from a few years back on this thread, it will have you in stitches, Ha Ha.
Prime vs prime I'll go with Liston. Foreman said Liston was the only fighter to force him backwards during sparring. Liston had the physicality to deal with Foreman's physical tactics. If Foreman's usual overwhelming strength is taken away or about even, than he'll need to use his skills. He wasn't as skilled as Liston. I see Foreman using his pushing, pulling, and grappling tactics to control space early in the fight. When it's not as effective as it normally was, he'd start trying to use his jab, fight behind it. That would play right into Liston's hands. Prime Liston was a skilled beast. Once he had Foreman thinking instead of fighting, it's his fight. He'd slowly grind Foreman down behind his even more powerful jab, setting him up for the eventual late KO. Liston ko's Foreman in about 10 rds after some brutal exchanges.
Except Liston likely wouldn't attack him. He'd pick his cards, box him, use his jab, and probably draw him into counterpunches like he did with Williams.