1968 Sonny Liston vs 1987 Evander Holyfield

I don't think Evander carried anyone. It was not in his skill set or nature to do so, or attempt to do so. Big George was a night's work for anyone the night they fought and Holmes was as crafty and willy as they come.

 

Holy is my 4th favorite fighter (after Liston, Frazier, and Patterson) but the more I watch that fight, the more convinced I am Foreman wipes the floor with him in his prime.

 

OK.. good job, fellas.

 

That’s an interesting faves list. My top 2 are Louis and Liston.

Prime Foreman gets somewhat underrated by some these days, just imo.

I think Ali’s victories over both Liston and Foreman invited some undue, retroactively applied discredit to the reps otherwise of both men.

But it was still Ali who defeated them after all - the # 1 ATG HW for many people.

Incredible that Ali was there to slay the monster that was Liston in 64 and then, a whole 10 years later, Ali did the same number on the equally formidable Foreman.

Certainly, it seems only Ali could’ve shortened up their title reigns as he did actually do - otherwise, I think both Sonny and George would’ve had several more successful defences of the title in them, at the least.

 

Holyfield on points probably at that point, but Liston may hurt him at points and force Holyfield to learn on the job. I could see someone like Liston measuring him with the jab and walking him onto an uppercut to rock him.