Blowout for Liston? can Max put on a virtuoso performance and win a decision? Also any favorite Schmeling bout other than Louis would be cool. Wanna start studying his contemporaries as well.
Schmeling had some good ability as well as power and I do not think he would be intimidated...We look at Louis 2 and think Max could lose early but that was a declined Max and Liston was not Joe Louis as far as combo-power. This fight could go either way and this could go the full route...prime for prime a very interesting battle and if strategy is a large factor I would learn towards the Max if Sonny gets started early and aggressively he may be able to capture it but this is a tough fight to bet on.
pvp (with no disrespect towards Max) the heavy fisted Bear (with that jab to boot) would locate and destroy Max somewhat early.
I could see Max being competitive in this fight, and possibly winning....although that to me is not the most likely scenario! I envision more often than not, Liston stopping max around rounds 6-8 or taking a decision from a more cautious Max. In looking at what ATG's might be trouble by borderline greats to very good fighters (perhaps a good thread in its own right)....I have always envisioned Max's right presenting stylistic issues for Larry Holmes, and could see Max being a very tough out, and perhaps an upset in waiting for Holmes. I don't mean this as a disrespect for Holmes who is securely my #3 ATG HW, but rather a tough style for him deal with.
Certainly a valid opinion. I believe Schmeling would study tape of Liston and find a weakness that will allow him to survive at least midfight. Liston certainly had the power and speed.
No disrespect to Max but he couldn't ever beat Larry IMO. Let's just start with the ATG jab and height. Plus nobody knocks out Larry in his prime; I simply don't see Max coming anywhere close to doing that.
Did I ever say win let alone KO? But Holmes IMHO did occasionally struggle with a good right...which schmeling was quite adept at delivering. And while I think he could trouble Larry to the point of springing the upset....I am sure that I did not say that "He would" but rather "He could"...I did say, and remain convinced that stylistically he would cause Holmes trouble....I would still expect Larry to win, but Schmeling would be a live dog IMHO.
Schmeling's powerful and perfectly timed right cross could pose a problem for many heavyweights throughout the years. He was a better conidtioned more strategic version of Johannson with better combination punching. He was hosed in the rematch with Sharkey and a shot fighter in the rematch with Louis. During Schmeling's prime he was quite formidable and engaged in terrific fights. He fought in the Ring fight of the year no less than 4 times.
Prime max did get KOd by Baer, a great puncher but it was quite late in the fight and IMO although less talented than Liston, Baer was more seasoned than Sonny who had only been going 18 months or so at top level before he became champion. At the time of the Ko the fight with Baer had been more competative and hard fought than anything Liston ever came through. Remember, this was the only man to beat a prime Joe Louis. Liston never won a fight of the year. There's no doubt Liston has the credentials but things came to him a little too fast, too many quick wins hurt his long term prowess as a dependable ATG. Not enough top class rounds under his belt for me to bank on him against too many great fighters. Schmeling overcame Joe Louis because he was tough, seasoned and still wanted it. Joe had great wins behind him but they had come a little too easy for him - at that point. I see a comparison here with Sonny Liston. Cassius Clay albeit a young kid was Sonnys Max Schmeling but it could have been max schmeling too.
I think Liston is a perfect fighter. Great Jab, right, hook, and in-fighting. He has a killer instinct and great chin. Max Schmeling crafty and cagey. This could be an upset win for Max. He has tight defense and good foot work. If Sonny lets him get into a rhythm then he will have a hard time changing the pace of the fight which will cause the upset. That Sonny is not the real Sonny. The real Sonny is aggresive and angry. That Liston will force Max to exchange fire and Max will have to stick and move at a pace that does not suit his style. I'd go with Liston.
I'd back Liston as well, although it's certainly possible that Max makes life uncomfortable for him at times. Hand speed aside though, I can't think of any obvious criteria where Schmeling was better. I'd fancy Liston's long thudding jab, hard right hand and compact left hook (a beautiful punch) to prevail ultimately.
