George Foreman Vs Sonny Liston

Ya, you're right. We can only count on two things:
1) it will end in a knockout
2) Whoever wins will have had the absolute **** beaten out of him before he achieves victory.

 

This is the most brutal heavyweight fight EVER IMAGINABLE. Two of the absolute strongest and meanest punchers ever. I don't think the fact that they were sparring partners affect anything. They would use each other up together. One would die, and the other one would be forced to retire due to his health and live the rest of his life with some brain-damage-caused disease.

 

I assume you are making up an outrageous exaggeration to make a point. Or mythologizing their ferocity & power for fun.
Nothing like this is likely to happen-even for one of the fighters, let alone what you predict for both-in an single match up with reasonable rules & without weapons.

It might look like Foreman vs. Lyle, but even if it went longer, it is very unlikely anything worse than somebody gets knocked out would occur.

 

You are correct. I was partially exaggerating to make the point that this would probably be probably the most brutal heavyweight fight ever. Actually, you are correct that what I was saying was outrageous, because both could punch, but they both had amazing punch resistance, which of course makes death or declined health unlikely. I happen to know neither one has ever had significant health problems. However, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a death as entirely impossible. Enough of them have happened thru the years to prove otherwise.

 

Liston

 

I think Sonny would win by TKO within 6 rounds. First of all, Liston would not be intimated by Foreman--I don't think any human being alive could intimidate Sonny! Liston was also a superior fighter technically, (Sonny's boxing skills are underrated--he was a LOT more than a brute brawler in the ring) and that battering ram left jab would pummel George early on, with Sonny eventually landing powerhouse shots and going for the kill.

 

In what manner? they fought nothing alike.

 

Liston took a dive.

 

Regardless, the disasters Foreman averted where far greater than those Liston averted.

 

Close fight IMO. Sonny was the better boxer with the sharper punches, but I think people are overexaggerating the difference between their boxing skill. George has a few inches on him and seemed to be a little stronger, bigger. I've always favored Foreman in this matchup, but usually the better boxer (in this case it's Sonny) usually wins these so I'm a little torn.

 

Excellent provision of information. Thanks!

I can best relate to Wepner’s analysis. Versus Foreman, I think Sonny would be pushed to answer some questions that weren’t quite put to him in his actual career. There are the Williams’ shootouts of course which can be extrapolated on to some degree. With a far better chin and overall offense, George obviously hangs that bit longer than Big Cat whilst still returning some dangerous fire. While Sonny will likely get get shook early, I think his calm under fire, overall skill set and own formidable power, methodically delivered, will see him through via KO/TKO by about rd 6.

 

You got the completely right idea , but its the other way around. Liston bullys Foreman.

Foreman can't bully Liston. Sonny is one of the few HWs in history that George wouldn't be able to overpower and push around. Foreman verbally admitted this already , an old Liston who was shot and already past his best days was the only man to back George up repeatedly and George had to resort back being the boxer always , no other man did that to him , but an old Liston did.

Prime Liston is all wrong for Foreman. Especially a Prime Foreman who came straight at you throwing wide looping shots trying to overwhelm you to get the fast knockout victory. None of that is gonna fly against Liston. His Jab would truly SHINE in this fight and would be absolute kryptonite towards George. I see him running into that jab repeatedly throughout the fight . George aggression would completely backfire on him in this fight and will be the main reason for his downfall.

I agree with you , this will be a KO in the 6th rnd . In favor of The Big Bear

 

Think Liston edges him out. He was a far better boxer then Lyle and had just as much pop. Also had way better stamina. Obviously Foreman has a chance to stop Liston but I’m not sure he does before getting caught.
Liston KO 5

 

The fight would not end with a decision, and I would bet 100: 1 on that.

 

So did LaMotta but no one holds that against him do they?