Liston #1 heavyweight head to head?

Liston is certainly up there on the short list.

1. Ali
2. Frazier
3. Liston

 

Never realized how good Liston was till I came to this forum and the more I look into him the higher he goes in my top ten. H2H I still think he loses to Ali, Foreman, Marciano, Frazier when they were at their best but that’s it (50/50 w Louis). Liston had all the tools but like Tyson he could beat himself and against the men I named there is no room for error. I wouldn’t put it past him to beat those guys either (exception of Ali he’s never beating him).

 

Holmes beat quite a number of future champions. None of whom became ATGS, but still, champions. Tim became a two-time champ.

People are right to say there were no prime ATGs around during his reign. But he seemed to beat everyone who was any good. He certainly didn't duck Page or Thomas, those fools ended up losing fights they should have won, while both in their primes.

Even if we back up to 1958 Liston is getting his head snapped back by Holmes' jab. The uppercut would ruin Sonny, who'd be all swolled up and ready to go in 8.

Though Liston was at least three times the fighter Earnie was, just watch Holmes 1978-1979 and tell me Liston could stand up to that. Norton only made it the distance because of Larry's torn left bicep.

 

With confidence I'd say Sonny executes Evander , Holyfield ain't a mover and jabber. An old Foreman who moved like an oil tanker rocked Holy's world by his own admission, Liston would bludgeon him unconscious.

 

This!!!!!!!!!-!

 

I do not put that much stock in the Ali fights , 11 years younger and coming into Prime and already there athletically, beating the 35 year old Liston.... Prime for Prime ,, it's a different fight, imo … just saying it's easy to say Ali after what transpired, but Liston had the power in both gloves and the speed to hurt Ali ,, Frazier did it … Tough ask against one of the most punch resistant boxer's of all time ,,, but Liston was sound in Prime ,, so it I pick Liston just to rock the boat , well maybe scratch that because Ali missed his true Prime, lol. but I think Holmes might be his toughest go ...

 

Try telling that to Patterson, Williams, Dejohn, etc. Idiot.

 

Give me one instance of Liston quitting in his prime. Did he quit when he had his jaw broken? Did he quit when Valdez shut his eye? This 'Liston was a quitter" stuff is all bollocks!

 

Or when Williams broke his nose.

 

Every fighter had their nose broke. All fighters are tough.

 

I scored that fight for Norton. He walked Holmes down all night. Sonny would do the same but with much more firepower.

 

In 1953 When Sonny was likely around 22-23 years old he had only had about 3 fights. Sonny was not yet the great fighter he became. Back then Sonny was winning only by split decision over a guy called Benny Thomas. My money is on 22 year old Ali beating Benny Thomas easier than that.

 

I had it three points for Holmes. I couldn't see Norton winning a single round until the seventh. But that's my opinion, all respect to yours.

 

Joe Frazier would be too small for Prime Sonny Liston, it was a fact that Yank Durham did not want Joe to fight Sonny,and Ali in 1967. Even though Liston was past his prime at that point, Joe's style would not have worked against The Bear. Yank feared that Sonny would maul Joe, push him around and pound on him like he did to Patterson, twice. Prime Tyson would be eating a lot of jabs, Liston did not fear anyone, he lived in the penal system, collected debts. He would encounter difficulties with both Klitchko's, because of height. Prime George Foreman would be a war,knockdown, drag out. He would have trouble also with Prime Riddick Bowe, and Larry Holmes, because of their left jabs and movement. Lewis would do good for a while, until Liston crashes home his right hand, he hits harder than Oliver McCall, and Hassim Rahman. Evander might be the tougher, because of his defense and combination punching. He already fought Prime Ali twice, we know what happened. He would have won but I do see him having problems with these opponents.

 

Holyfield-beating Bowe would get Liston's ire up with the jab, eventually cutting him down with the uppercut. Liston gets stopped in 10, the extra weight and height advantage would be a factor as well.

That said, I can see a knockdown of Bowe happening.