In his prime, Liston was unstoppable

Who would you pick out of those to beat Liston?

 

It's hard to say, I think when you're dealing with the elite of the elite it's not easy to pick because there are too many variables.

Ali would have to be favored, for his ability to move and jab, Holmes could do the same, although I think his chin isn't as proven as Ali, Foreman, I could see winning, Lewis, could box to a decision win if he doesn't get caught. He might even be able to hurt Liston, but hard to say.

Tyson either blows him out or losses. Vitali could probably win, he has a good chin, and is hard to hit clean given his size. Bowe, would probably be a war, and whoever hurts who first wins, Wlad would either be a boxing lesson by Wlad or a KO by Liston, not much middle ground there.

Ike (6'2)/Ruddock (6'3")/Tua (5'10" but a chin of granite and a great left hook) all have a punchers chance of winning.

Holyfield I'm not sure about.

 

Tyson wouldn't really have a chance imo. Ike, Ruddock, and Tua shouldn't be favored. Of the above, I only favor Ali.

 

I certainly never said I would favor Ike, Ruddock, or Tua in fact, I'm pretty sure I said they would have a punchers chance.

But out of that list, I would favor, Ali, Foreman, and Lewis, and I'm not sure about Vitali and Holmes, and I'm pretty sure many would add Tyson to this list, some would add Bowe and some might add Holyfield.

Regardless, that puts Liston in pretty elite company in terms of H2h. He's certainly in the top 5-7 or thereabouts.

I personally have no idea how to separate these fighters with any degree of certainty.

 

Nobody knocks out Liston early. Also Tyson admitted, the one fighter he'd be scared of would be Sonny Liston.

 

Well I don't have Tyson on the list, but I have said others undoubtedly would. As to an early KO, boxing is boxing, especially at heavyweight, I would never discount it happening when elite H2h fighters are in the ring together.

 

You do make a good point there.

 

With Liston, being in his prime wasn't enough.
He also had to be not in the dive mode.
You never knew.

 

But this. :deal

 

Sonny Liston was a very good fighter and he physically looked even better than he performed. I have always felt that he lacked real toughness. Guys I considered really genuinely tough were guys like Marciano, Holyfield and yes, Ali. I always felt there was no quit in those three. In Liston's case I am not so sure.

 

The man went six rounds with a broken jaw. SIX ROUNDS! That is ****ing toughness and heart. Also, you should probably watch the Williams bouts to see a better, faster, version of Liston.

 

The people who has the courage to say that "prime liston" would beat ali... Dont realise how laughable they look

 

I don't believe a prime Liston beats Ali, but, there are no other heavies that prime Liston would not stand a very good chance of beating. You can make a case for Liston against any other heavy of all time. No matter what their style or size. Not many other champs you can say that about. I can't think of one other champ would we would all agree would without a doubt blow Liston away.