Liston vs Wlad Klitschko

It's not about being big alone, or even big and skilled. It's about have size and knowing how to use it, having the skillset that is maximizes their unique assets. No one wants to see the Klits, or Lennox Lewis, or Riddick Bowe bobbing and weaving down low to get openings. They use the jab, space and their strength to dictate the action. Maybe not the most exciting style but you can't argue with the effectiveness.

Being big is not enough.

 

And how do you apply these criteria to Sonny Liston?

 

I merely used Ali's size as a reference to point out that Liston's reach is overrated since some posters think that his reach would somehow prevent Wlad from executing his regular gameplan. Wlad is 4 inches taller than Ali and has longer hands. If you saw the picture, Wlad have would have no problems keeping Liston on the end of his jab.

 

wrong. Liston was not only past his prime against Ali, but Ali also is way faster then wlad and could beat Liston to the punch. wlad wouldn't be doing that

 

There's a ridiculous amount of weight put on Sanders KO of Wlad early in his career.

Most of the hypothetical matchups I see against big punchers or even some small ATGs automatically assume that it's the 'Sanders' wlad who will show up. Current Wlad beats a lot of these types.


However, that said, he loses to Liston.

Probably by KO.

 

I'm still rolling with Wlad on this one, and he'll also go down as the better heavyweight historically.

Besides the points mentioned already argued on either side, I see a handspeed advantage for Wlad that hasn't been mentioned but I believe is there. Part of this is because Wlad fights in a measured, calculated, almost lazy way at times, but there's excellent handspeed there when he lets his shots rip. Better than Sonny's. I think he's beating Liston to the jab in this one.

 

"early is his career", Wlad's record was 40-1 & he had been pro for 7 years!

I agree Wlad was not at his best, because he didn't hire Steward until after being KO'd by the Fat Old Golfer, but there is no need make stuff up & say it was "early in his career", that's nonsense.

 

Liston would bust him up early with his jab and stop him within 6.

 

So, the only way a heavyweight can be faster than Liston, is if it's young Ali?atsch

There's a hell of alot of gray area between Liston and Ali speedwise, and Wlad falls in between it.

 

Actually think Wlad might keep Liston at bay and bust him up with 1-2's enough to strongly discourage him. There's one thing Liston will need in this fight and that's resiliency, something we haven't seen in abundance of from him (I know he fought with a broken jaw against Marshall). If lighter-hitting Clay hurt and cut up Liston, I can't imagine the discouragement a steel-hammer jab and straight right would do to his esteem. Liston definitely brings a lot of things Wlad hasn't really seen or faced, so it's possible I'm trying not to underrate a modern super heavyweight like Wlad who gets all too dismissed in H2H matchups, despite his obvious physical and skill advantages. Perhaps, I'm selling Liston short as well. Maybe his inability of hitting Ali frustrated him more than any of the punches that cut and hurt him. That was probably just the icing on the cake. And Wlad doesn't have the mobility of an Ali, nor can he punch on the back-foot well.

Odds wise the poll seems fair.

 

Sonny Liston was knocked out by a guy that started his career as a middleweight.

Leotis Martin wasn't even that big of a puncher.

TBH, I don't even know how this would be competitive.

How is Liston going to take a straight right or left hook from Wlad? If he can't take one from Martin how is he going to take one from Wlad?

How is he going to stop Wlad from jabbing him to death?

Does he plan to rush in to try to land something big early?

Do people really believe that Liston is going to get the better of the exchanges because of his arm length?

Do people not see that Wlad cuts off the ring well and uses his footwork to set-up his shots (e.g. Ray Austin walk right into a left hook)?

Bottom line for me is:

What is so special about Sonny Liston that makes you think he can through Wlad off his game?