Liston turns pro 20 years earlier

You’re going to get at least a trilogy, & perhaps as many as twice that number, of fights between Louis & Liston. Since the division doesn’t have anyone within touching distance of these two at the time they peak (around 1937-38), I believe we would see the title change hands between them, at least twice.

This is Boxing though, & given the reputation of both men, perhaps an unknown variable might be that the constabulary stitches Liston up to remove him from the picture, given how dangerous he would be vs Louis (not far off even odds).

 

Becomes the no. 2 in the division, but Louis remains king.

 

If anybody could, I'd pick Walcott or Conn, though it still isn't guaranteed.

 

I dont really see it (maybe Baer?) except insofar as Liston was not the World’s most dedicated career man. Supposing he was beaten though, the cream would still rise eventually. I would favour Louis to knock Liston out, but that’s far from certain, & I think we’d get a series anyway. Both were just too damn good relative to the late 30’s.

 

Walcott would beat old Liston like a drum, he would be a human punching bag.

 

Would have paid to see the Führer face when him and Louis toyed with Schmeling.

 

The Kaiser or the Führer?

 

Schmeling had that accurate and damaging right hand which would pose the same threat to Liston that it did to Louis.

 

Schmeling can get seriously underrated nowadays. His win over a green Louis is still a legendary performance.

 

I think Louis would’ve KO’d Liston twice in a duo of good bouts. How he’d settle in the rankings would be interesting to see.