Mike Tyson vs Sonny Liston

Liston might have been physically stronger, but Tyson was much faster and more explosive with his power. He had headmovement which he used in conjunction with fast feet, and he would have eluded and penetrated that jab. Tyson always found a way to close distance. Liston, who was not a mover, would be right there to be hit, particularly since he was such a game fighter, and he was not a defensive wizard, which would not be good for him. It would have been a very fun and brutal fight, for as long as it lasted.

 

Patterson never weighed over 200 for a fight. Tyson would actually outweigh Liston by a few pounds, most likely. It's too tough to pick a winner, but I don't think comparing Tyson to Patterson explains anything.

 

Liston has the chin to take Mike's shots and the power to put Mike to sleep.

The gamebreaker for me is Listons absolutely insane reach of 84 inches and his jab which on occassion brought a portion of his opponents on the verge of getting KO'd. (Even if they were basically CW's that's ridiculously impressive)

 

You mean Liston was ~ 2 inches taller, not shorter.

Look I generally pick Liston & Tyson over Foreman due to styles/slugger vs. a modified swarmer.

But the big differences in speed mean i have doubts.
Prime Tyson also had excellent tecnhique, from cominations, accuray through defense.

The comparison to Patterson means little.

Patterson was very fast, but terrified of Sonny. Psyched out.

Also Tyson had more power & was much bigger & stronger than Patterson, it was not close.

 

I'd pick liston.

 

you do realize foreman was a kid when he was listons sparring partner and only weighed around 210 right?

 

Easy fight for Tyson,he would do what he does best "SLIP" the jab and runover a guy who just stands there..Tyson k.o round 1 or 2 its a fast brutal mugging.even foreman would fare better than Liston.

 

Liston by kayo. A much better boxer.

 

Tyson had the chin to take Liston's punches or at least for several rounds. I don't think Liston was all that durable. Or at least not possessing the type of durability necessary to survive a Tyson onslaught. Mike wasn't easily intimidated and that's where Sonny made his bread and butter. Tyson's fast hands and upper body movement would be a huge factor as well.

 

These two on their day had enormous psychological talent. Absolutely devastating power. Terrifying efficiency. However, everyone looks great dishing it out.

When things were going their way both Tyson and Liston made very swift work of excelent fighters. So extreme was this ease of dispatching the best men of their times that there is a tendency to lose perspective. Perhaps the fear of their opponents would empower both of them to a level that appeared beyond the reach of most champions. Both were so brilliant at seizing upon the smallest mental weakness. With a green light in front of them both would beat anyone.

But it is the winning of great fights, competitive fights absent of the fear factor and psyche outs that really cuts it when it comes to the all timers. Not every good fighter will offer a green light situation. The psychological edge both Liston and Tyson were so expert at creating upon very good men actually decreased the chances of either sonny or Mike from developing a more solid seasoning in preparation of a two way struggle. so often did they prevent such situations by imposing their domination so well.

I think separating the two the answer to this is resume. I just think Tyson is more proven and that's what we have to go on. Who really knows for sure how good Liston was? We know the full extent of Tysons potential, his prime, his melt downs etc. With Liston we have a guy where it took him ten years to have 32 fights. Did he get his oppertunties at the right time? Did it prevent championship longevity?

It only took Tyson two years and 27 fights to beat a champion. We know when his prime was, who he produced it against and when he was most capable. We will never know if there was any more to come from Liston but he just did not beat the same number of good men as Tyson. I think Tyson proved he had more mileage and that can tell within an individual fight too.

The style advantage Liston had over Patterson is not so relevant because I think Floyd just did never have Sonnys respect in the ring. It empowered Sonny. With the best of intentions for what ever reason I think Floyd simply could not perform either time. You can't give Sonny confidence like that. And he did both times.

I think Tyson would demand more respect from Sonny and Sonny would demand more respect from Tyson. It would even things out and be decided on boxing. I don't see Liston replicating the fient and stutter step that allowed Douglas to create such a home for his jab on Tyson. But I do see Mike use his angles and counter away but because both would show the other so much respect within a clinch it would remain close. Tyson should win on points like he did against Razor Ruddock the second time.

 

good freaking post :good

 

What quality jab did Tyson slip in his prime though? An ancient Larry? Tillis? Douglas had a great jab, but I'll not hold that against him.

Truth is Tyson looked great slipping weak or ineffectual jabs. He certainly never fought anybody remotely as dangerous as Liston in his heyday.

I could see a repeat of the Patterson fights, with Mike lasting a little longer. Even in his pomp Tyson took shots, but again I struggle to think of a puncher he faced in the eighties save Douglas. I'll not give him much credit for Ruddock.