John tate Greg page Mike weaver Michael dokes Pinklon Thomas Tim witherspoon Bone crusher Smith???? These 80s guys vs sonny liston. Who would liston beat or struggle with or would the dark age heavy s be to much for the bear???
I think he drops a decision to one of them. Mostly because those guys are a bunch of rise to the occasion types and 1 of them is putting in a career best performance on that night. Could be any of the boxer types. They cannot sustain it of course and would lose within a bout or 2. But the only real easy bouts for Sonny--I see--are Weaver who everyone landed their punches on & Smith.
Good answers. I agree bout Smith and weaver but those fight s could turn in to brawls with both those men decent punchers. But can't see liston losing to them. Can actually see pinklon giving sonny his toughest fight. He had a decent chin and jab. A talented guy
John tate Tate was poorly managed but had decent power and skill. Lison ko 7 Greg page Page was very inconsistent but he could occasionally show up and look good. Excellent chin, power, and ring iq at his best. His best may not be enough however. Liston has the reach advantage and had a busier work rate, far more ferocious. Page could play it safe and pull off an upset, but its equally possible Liston Ud or late round ko. Mike weaver Liston ko 3. Weaver offers nothing liston hasnt seen. Poor defense, no head movement, a brawler like that running at liston and trying to outmuscle and club him would be a stylistic nightmare. Michael dokes liston ko 5 Pinklon Thomas this would be an interesting clash because pinklon had a superb jab and a good chin. No one gets koed early because bith fighters have such excellent jabs and would want to set the pace. An in shape motivated thomas who avoids taking too many power shots could win a sd or even ud. Or...liston bulldozes him. Anything is possible. Tim witherspoon only person i could confidently back to beat liston. Tim was a phenomenal talent with a sick overhand right, good footwork and ring iq. I could easily see Tim stealing a Ud decision frustrating liston with his erratic movement, jab, maybe the occasional southpaw stance. Bone crusher Smith smith has size and power but unless he manges to hurt liston early he will become target practice. Its also possible smith annoys the crowd hugging liston to death to avoid a ko. More often than, liston would win either by UD or late round ko.
Liston would roll the lot of them. Witherspoon never fully developed and would be outdone via the Liston jab. He wouldn't open up enough to get the decision due to the threat of Listons immense power. If Liston pushes hard he would put Witherspoon under quite some pressure. Liston's left hook would play a big part too which is where Holmes was always lacking due to mostly shelving it.
None of those fighters aside from Liston were ever the worlds hwt champion. Liston, prime Liston, knocks each out.
