Dream match: Lennox Lewis on (October 31, 1992) vs. Sonny Liston on (sept. 25, 1962)

Interesting match-up.

I too would pick Lewis...unless Sonny pulled a McCall/Raham and landed "that" punch.

 

Liston TKO within 5 everytime.

I don't think Lewis would pose any real threat to him at his absolute peak, he really only has the edge in handspeed. Listons timing and defense nullified this factor against most opponents (except for Ali who relied on his footwork)

Liston is a beautiful scientific boxer, better than Lewis, and a clinical finisher, again better than Lewis.

I think Liston has the better chin, better guts, and comparable power. If he hurts Lewis, you can bet he's going to capitalize.

 

Lewis KO3.

Liston didn't have the tools to keep a modern heavy at bay.

 

I agree. :good

 

Lewis, very close UD.

 

Liston was a better boxer than Lewis, IMO.

The best Lewis was when he fought Holyfield or Tua, in '99-'00. I'd expect Liston to outpoint him, really batter him quite painfully.

The Lewis who fought Ruddock was a bit raw and reckless still. I think Liston would knock him out in a 2-3 round slug fest.

 

Correa-era Lewis? It worked against Ruddock, but I think he needs Manny in there to beat Liston. Punchers chance but more likely Liston TKO

Steward-era wins but this isn't about that.

 

I think Lewis' chin would be good enough to not get blown out I'm one of the people who does think Lewis' chin was actually really good, but Liaton could stop him. However, I don't think Lewis would allow himself to get caught enough to get stopped. The biggest problem with Lewis was not his chin, but his lazy attitude in fights he thought he could win easily. If he had a better mentality, he would have been undefeated in his career.

So I would rule out a stoppage win for Liston. Lewis has too much defensive savvy for him and would not be complacent like he was against McCall or Rahman.

I think Liston's jab could pose a threat though. Looking at how Mercer and Bruno gave this young version of Lewis so many problems, I'd imagine a guy like Liston would to, but moreso. This is Lewis' biggest problem.

I'd go for two seperate picks. Either Liston win too many of the early rounds for Lewis to get back into it, sticking on the end of his jab. Or Lewis knocks Liston out, which he could do easier than the other way around.

In a 3 fight series, I'd say 2-1 in favour of Liston.

If this was the late 90's version of Lewis though, he would be too good and too hard hitting for Liston. I don't imagine Sonny's chin could last 12 rounds many times against a focused Lennox.

 

Liston is too much. I dont even see Lewis being able to outbox Liston for 12 rounds. He would be able to win rounds but Listons boxing skill, combined with his one punch power would prove too much and stop Lennox sometime in the fight.

 

So Lenny doesn't have top bracket power and boxing skill then? Hmm. :roll: :dead

 

Interesting points. You'd sure be a big fool to rule Liston out (espeically with his skilla and insane power), however I'd make Lewis ever so slight fave in this matchup whatever the case (whether it's the early or late 90's version). I honesty reckon that Lewis is one of not too many who can more than hold their own in a jabbing contest against Liston (possibly outjab him) although he'd need to be consistent with it and put in a high workrate throught the fight. Who's to saw that Lewis couldn't wield the axe on Sonny?

I don't quite get the point why you think Lewis is going to get bullied around in clinches etc, he's bigger and equally as strong as Liston and has a mean uppercut as chilling and great an any in the divisions history. Both outside and inside this fight is a close call.

A Liston stoppage/points win isn't out of the question of course. My personal view is that whilst it's neck and neck in terms of power and skill between the two, but Lewis holds the ever so slight physical aces over Liston and wouldn't be intimidated by him. :good

 

Liston would lay Lewis out, just like McCall and Rahman did. Worse. Goodness if guys like that could put him on ***** street or knock him out cold, one of the greatest punchers of all time will REALLY annihilate this guy.