Lewis vs. Liston

This would be a close fight for a few rounds, but peak Liston is too much firepower for Lewis.

 

The best example was comparison of Povetkin win over Rahman and Lewis KO of Rahman 11 years earlier:yep. Yes Povetkin beat him easier. 40 y.o. Rahman who looked and moved like 65 y.o.:huh

However, I strongly disagree that Mercer was better in the Lewis fight. It seemed so because Larry Holmes is simply better and more skilled boxer than Lennox Lewis, with better jab. Holmes outjabbed Mercer easily, and Mercer outjabbed Lennox in an even fight.

And Mercer was 15 lbs heavier vs Lewis, and had only 2 fights in last 2 years, losing to Holyfield (I scored 97-92 for Holy) and losing to Marion Wilson (though it was scored a draw, my score 7-3 to Wilson).

Mercer was coming off 3 big wins before Holmes vs prime versions of Bert Cooper, Franchesco Damiani and Tommy Morrison. Mercer was better in Holmes fight, just less experienced.

 

i always did think that liston in his prime had all the tools to knock lewis out, he had the same speed, lewis was not faster, he had the same reach, he had great power to break the chin of lewis, he had a better jab than lewis, he was a fast starter, he was a good finisher, he got a decent chin, he had good skill, good defence,he was very strong physically so lewis could not overpower him. liston by ko in 5 rounds

 

Does anyone else think that Mercer was not better vs. Lewis?

The points B.U. make seem reasonable above, yet Mercer was often inconsistent, could be widely so, & he did not look nearly as good or aggressive vs. Homles. Tried to throw the fight against The Boogyeman Ferguson. What saved Lewis is that Mercer's conditioning failed him.

But I think the Mercer vs. Lewis beats Holmes, no?

 

I think 1991 Holmes beats any version of Mercer decisively.

I'll try to explain my point of view. Mercer has very good jab. Lewis too, but Mercer outjabbed much taller Lewis.

Now, Holmes' jab is clearly better than both Mercer and Lewis' jabs, and that's the difference.

And Holmes stylistically is harder fighter for Mercer than Lewis. His defense is less predictable, Mercer couldn't catch him all night. Lewis has good defense, but Mercer landed many punches because his jab was so effective.

Holmes was staying near the ropes, countering Mercer with his fast (at 42!) hands all night.

Actually, the fight has shown us how skilled was Larry Holmes. He really deserved his title shot by beating young top-contender.

 

Mercer fought the fight of his life against Lewis. He never looked that good in the ring before or after. If that Mercer fought Holmes it would have been a different fight.

 

Both men could have made short work of the other.. I'm not convinced either way when one side says " well look at what McCall did to Lennox" or " look at how listen quit after only six rounds against a green Cassius. " The reality is that these were two exceptional heavyweight champions who on their best nights stood a chance against anyone and that includes each other.. If I were forced to choose, I'd probably make Lewis the slight favorite. Size and intimidation were a big part of Sonny's game, and he'd likely have neither of those advantages here. He'd be in the ring for the very first time in his life with a man who was exceptionally big exceeding the size standards of Sonny's day, along with good boxing skill, power, wingspan, conditioning and durability. Never had Liston met someone with that combination. Sonny's jab and powerful right hand are the only tools he'd have and needless to say would have to make the best possible use of them... Would they be enough? I don't know..

 

Lennox is in my top 5, but i think Liston is a tough matchup for him. I think Sonny Outjabs and outworks him to a close-ish UD.