How would Sonny Liston have done in Big George's main fights?

Frazier via close UD
Liston KOs Norton early
Liston loses a close SD that he deserves to win
Liston KOs Lyle in the middle rounds 8-10 after taking some punishment

Evander Holyfield comfortably UDs 69 Liston
Morrison wins a UD but could hit the floor
Liston KOs Moorer within 6
50-50 but I'll take Liston by early KO after being wobbled a few times.

**** bonus questions

 

Liston loses to frazier, ali and young. Beats norton and lyle.

Past prime he loses to all but moorer.

 

Frazier - beats him imo, perhaps Frazier survives the early onslaught and makes Liston quit though, but I think Liston picks him apart and really hurts Joe

Norton - knocks him out

Ali - loses

Lyle - wins

Young - I think he wins this

68 Liston

Holyfield - loses
Morrison/Moorer/Briggs - may pull off the win, not sure on 68 Liston

I think Foreman was more of a beast overall, better stamina, stronger, Liston was more skilled, Foreman maybe had more heart. Not sure who I rate higher really

 

LOL at frazier beating Liston. Liston was just as strong, powerful as Foreman...except better technically

 

:roll:

When did Foreman ever show he could fight at the hard pace liston fought for 12 rounds against Machen in 1960?

No evidence what so ever on film that foreman was stronger than Liston. Liston took on some hulking fighters in his day too..and pushed them all around. Physically, he looked just as equipped with an even longer reach..and reportedly as an old man pushed george around in sparring.

Punching Power, no evidence Foreman hit harder or was a more dangerous finisher. Liston seemed to do a lot better against boxer types(folley, machen) than foreman did(young, ali)

 

Jimmy Young frustrates and decisions Liston
Liston ko's Norton anywhere from 1 to 3
Liston stops Frazier in 3
Ali beats Liston by decision
Liston ko's Lyle in 4
Holyfield beats an old Liston (prime Liston stops Evander in 3)
Morrison edges Liston like he did Foreman (prime Liston ko's Tommy in 1)
Liston tko's Briggs in 6

 

the 68 liston looses to morrison, holyfield and birggs and wins from moorer
the 59 liston wins all the fights. 73 frazier was aslightly bit over the top. 74 ali was to slow for liston of 59 lyle and norton are not on the same level as a 59 liston.

 

oh right, just like prime version of Folley and Machen were able too?

Liston has one of the best jabs ever, an 84" reach...something Foreman lacked in that fight. Liston of 1959 was certainly above the 1977 Foreman as a fighter. I think Young would find the jab in his face all night, plus Liston had very good technical skills, great upperbody movement..once again things foreman lacked. Liston could also box for 12 hard rounds... I like Liston by unanimous decision or mid round stoppage if he catches young(which he might, afterall Shavers did)

Liston would set traps for Young all night, and whether Young chose to play that game or not, he would be beaten on the outside by the jab, punished on the inside by listons strength and hooks/uppercuts.

 

Damn it RC Young wasn't even in the question!

 

1959 Liston?

Liston KO 5 1973 Joe Frazier
Liston KO 7 1974 Ken Norton
Liston TKO 10 1974 Muhammad Ali
Liston KO 5 1976 Ron Lyle

1968 Liston?

1991 Holyfield TKO 11 Liston
1993 Morrison UD 12 Liston
1994 Moorer UD 12 Liston
Liston TKO 8 or 9 Shannon Briggs

As for Jimmy Young who some are adding to this thread. I think 59 Liston stops him in 4 and 68 Liston stops him in 10.

Foreman slightly better overall more due to his second reign as champion.

BTW, both versions of Liston KO Axel Schulz and Lou Savarese.

 

Yeah, but he should have been.

 

Oh yeah Susie..cause after all, Young was so easy to hit, right?

 

Young was slippery but I think 59 Liston catches him and stops him before the middle rounds.

68 Liston has a harder time but still catches Jimmy later on in the fight and stops him.

 

lol at him losing to Young. he dealed with machen who is largely the same type of fighter.