Liston versus Holmes

What people are saying is that Liston would follow up his big shots better than Shavers and was a far better finisher. They are not claiming what you believe they are. Nobody is saying Liston can finish Holmes with one punch when Shavers failed, they are saying he will follow up after his big shots far better than Shavers, a limited fighter ever could and has a chance of finishing him.

 

I understood what they were saying, but they are assuming that Liston will land a huge right out of now where like Shavers did, and near as powerful, and I'm assuming he is not. And if he did, then I would assume that Larry would dance like he never danced before, because he's not so stupid to slug with Liston on the brink of being KO'd. Maybe if Liston catches him when Larry is dancing, but other than that, I can't see it happening.

 

Liston's scoring some heavy shots, that's a given. Larry, whilst good defensively, sure ain't no Pep in there. If a crude wild swinging Shaver's can land Liston sure can, and peeps have already explained why Liston will have more offensive success than Shaver's.

 

Well yeah, of course Liston will be able to land his share of heavy blows, but I think Holmes could take most of them. A lot of times Larry got nailed real hard (Shavers, Snipes) was when he was too comfortable, and I doubt he would get too comfortable in the ring with Liston.

 

In this match-up the faith has to be with Holmes.

Liston has the tools to win, he always had 'dem great tools, but he was never one to grind out a performance.

To beat the late seventies/early eighties Larry Holmes you have to have a plan, a V. good plan, and see it through with guts and fire when the fight enters the double figures.

Liston's spanner comes into the works in the form of boxing ability that has to be contended with and clubbing power. Holmes has to fight smart, but the danger is still present - he can't diffuse Liston like he did Shavers.

However, Holmes has much going for him to see himself through this challenge. Holmes had great flexibility; he was smooth, he was quick - that machine-gun jab could bang out a tune at times and he'd get it under way pronto.

Larry's career gets ridiculed for the fact he often played-down to the level of his opponents-always keeping them on a leash. With Larry it was detention rather than Liston's style of expelling you from the school yard. If needed, Holmes could fight smart. Liston's big shots would prove the wake-up calls.

Pace is a key factor; Liston will constantly dig away for the gold while he is exposed to a very warm kitchen. Holmes does not have to survive like Machen, he is a big guy with reach and height - he will have good spells in ring centre.

15 rounds with Holmes would prove too much of a chore for Liston. Ultimately, they were men of quite different mentalities. Liston was a mean fighter, Holmes was a lion-hearted glory hunter. Liston gives him an uncomfortable ride, but the guts of Holmes see his talent through in the championship rounds.

 

Couldn't have said it better my self if I tried (which I did, thats how I know).

 

Liston was an absolute killer on the inside. One of the better ones in the heavyweight division, to be honest. On the outside, he tended to favor his left jab far too often; a good technical strategy generally speaking, but a critical error when across the ring with Holmes. Furthermore, he fired his crosses and hooks too infrequently to be a factor against a Larry Holmes type of fighter, in my opinion.

I pick Holmes, tired, battered, and bruised by the 15th round, to win a clear unanimous decision, though looking worse from wear than Sonny

 

For this one time i have to agree with your assesement. Speed will be an important factor and Holmes is much, much faster than the slow, straight, plodding Liston. I see Holmes' heart pulling him through rough moments, whereas you can't be sure if Liston's heart keeps him up as history has shown.

 

I like Holmes by UD.

 

Holmes should be able to outbox him for the most part but Sonny had a good right and had a punchers chance vs Holmes who was vulnerable to lesser men

 

Only when he got too comfortable for example Shavers and Snipes. He got too comfortable, and they nailed him with some of the best right hands that they ever through. Especially Shavers. Larry wouldn't have been too comfortable in the ring with Liston, so his guard would be up a lot.

 

:yep :good

 

Bringing up Liston and Martin,is like Holmes and Tyson.Both Liston and Holmes were past it in these fights

 

Cooney nor Shavers had the defense or the durabilty of Liston.

 

Machen did an excellent job of staying away from Liston,and he lost.