Expert opinions on Liston vs Tyson

True, according to the ratings then and the quality of his opposition. But Sonny had become persona non grata after the fixed Ali fight, also fighters and their managers ducked Sonny. I do agree that Floyd improved with age, like Walcott and that he should have won the NBA Tournament, but the moneymakers behind the scenes had different plans. All that being said, a d I think very highly of Floyd, Liston would have always been his unbeatable foe, like Frazier and Foreman. That's my view, anyway. By the way, I have a chocolate lab named Maggie. Great dog.

 

Tyson struggled with douglas and lewis' long powerful jabs. Sonny's jab is at the top of the list for powerful jabs.

-Tyson had a major disadvantage in reach

-cant fight on the outside

-cant fight backing up

-even if he gets inside he was a lazy inside fighter and usually let a guy a tie him.

Liston had vicious hooks, uppercuts, and underrated skill. He was one of the most formidable "boxer-punchers" of all time so even at mid range tyson would have serious problems.

All i can really give Tyson is the edge in speed. Everything else Liston is superior or equal...including stamina.

 

Tyson vs Liston to me is a hard match up to picture. I have a tough time deciding a winner. One point I'll make is I could see where Liston's jab could pose a big problem for Tyson. I think if Liston can catch Tyson with his jab effectively he may able to stop Tyson in his tracks and back him up which is a key to defeating Tyson.

 

Liston would beat Tyson at his own game both physically and Mentally.

 

There is substance in this post.

 

And a lot of it. I'm not totally convinced of the jab thing, he was aged vs Lewis but walked thru (or around, under etc) plenty of other good jabbers. The key is your offensive success. If you can meet him head on and stop his foirward momentum your jab will feature. This was what happened with Lewis and Douglas, whilst others could not achieve the feat.

I agree Liston would.

 

Tyson's whole style was based on slipping the jab. And despite Liston having a dandy, I think Tyson counters it with a combination of speed and power Sonny has never experienced.

But I agree that Sonny's jab would pose some big problems.

 

I would say puzzled, then irritated and finally pi$sed off, in that chronological order.

Not really rattled.

 

Tough fight to call. But if I was betting I would say Liston. Though Tyson seemed quicker prime vs prime. But to me, Liston wins the fight before the fight. Tyson is an ATG. But he never faced anyone (and dont give me Mitch Green,,,,,please fake tough guy) who entered the ring with the menace that Liston had. How would Tyson fight if he's the one getting intimidated? Try to break an arm? Bite an ear? Would he even think of trying that against Liston? Or would he be hesitant? Allowing Liston to find the range with his Pole axe type jab and hooks. Psychologically is were Liston would win this fight. He'd bully the bully.

 

You are wrong.Tyson weighed above 220 before Douglas several times for example he was 221.25 lbs
against Berbick and 221 pounds against Tucker.Liston was only 211 pounds against Machen and 209.5
lbs against Dejohn. All in all Tyson was significantly heavier than Liston considering Liston was only 203 lbs
when he beat the 179 lbs Marshall by decision in 1956-03-06.

 

I can see Liston is very popular-or Tyson unpopular here but i never died for his Patterson or other wins.
He looked awesome against mediocre and/or small fighters.Liston's legend is bigger than
his quality considering he never beat an ATG heavyweight i think only Tyson's Ruddock wins are better than
Sonny's Patterson.
I think we can find some experts who prefer Tyson.

 

Nor did Holmes or Louis.

 

Good so you think Liston is overrated historically? Well so do I but Tyson is also overrated. If Liston could get in Tyson's head then I think he would win. Tyson has said himself if a fighter looked down doing the stare down he knew he had them. Do you think Liston would be afraid of Tyson? Not in this life time. I think he would throw his jab just like Douglas did and swell Tyson up just like Douglas did. It is hard to judge Liston's power because most of the guys he knocked out were small compared to modern size heavyweights. But I still think he had enough power to knock Tyson out.

 

1988 Tyson beats any version of Liston.....Tyson,s handspeed would make the difference for sure

 

Yeah, thats exactly it.. Liston I believe has a jab that would be very difficult for Tyson to counter thus making this a very tough fight for him.