Mismatch: Prime Liston vs Prime Tyson

Prime Tyson never faced a Destroyer like Liston.

 

The only mismatch is intelligence versus those who would say this is an easy fight either way.

 

Tyson

 

liston fought cruiser weights ................Tyson fought heavyweights ....enough said

 

If Liston folded like a "cheap suit" off 1 shot from Ali, imagine what Tyson would do. He would fold origami style

 

Mikes signature win: a bloated light heavyweight

 

If we are going to use that version of Liston, (who took a dive anyway) its only fair to put him against the Tyson of 2002 who faced Lennox Lewis

 

Prime Tyson put prime Liston to sleep inside 4...anything Liston can do Tyson can do 10x better...

 

Also something to think about: Liston was a better technical boxer than Buster Douglas. Liston also hit harder with the hardest jab *ever*

 

so Tysons reach is now 84 inches with the largest fists in boxing history, the hardest jab and the Strength of Liston? (to not get pushed back)...Only in TysonLand

 

Liston also had feet made of concrete and only moderate hand speed. Tyson didn't come in with straight up and down like Patterson but used lateral movement, better speed, way better footwork and could match power with Liston.

I would bet Tyson would win but it's no certainty at all.... either way.

 

It goes without saying that Tyson had a way better chin than Patterson. However, their styles are extremely similar, and patterson was the faster fighter.

 

Tyson had better footwork, amazing balance (Patterson was often overcommitting and off balance), punched in bunches and hit a lot harder. Tyson was stronger. Not sure who was quicker. In terms of combos, I would say Tyson.

I can see that Liston might be able to impose his fight on Mike, but that's not the way I am leaning.

 

Of course Tyson was stronger, hit harder and had a better chin than Patterson. But he could only fight going forward, with the same style as Patterson....
Keep in mind Liston was past prime when he destroyed patterson in 3 minutes. Against Tyson, in prime form, I think he does the same in 4-5 rounds. Thats not shortchanging Tyson. Thats just how much of a monster Liston was.

 

Liston could not hold title past one defense, and his rep is mostly built on his wins over Cleveland Williams. Tyson hit harder, had faster hands, moved better, and was close to unbeatable as champ