Prime Lewis Against Liston?

His prime was probably the Holyfield win or around that time, Lewis is better in every way technically, is probably stronger and I doubt there’s much difference in power, of course if Liston lands Lewis would be in trouble, but I see no reason as to why he lands first on most occasions, Lewis was better at setting up punches from range, was more mobile, could figure out opponents, I see no reason why a focused, determined Lewis wouldn’t beat him.

 

Bro???? What are you talking about???

Liston often jumped into his jabs which granted him a far “longer” reach than he would normally have.

 

Lewis was the sort of guy that would adapt and take advantage of his opponent’s mistakes, Lewis would eventually time Liston over his jab if he was jumping in with it like that.

 

Lewis by decision or late stoppage

 

What makes you think the 240 pound Lewis couldn’t potentially be stronger or more powerful than the 210 pound Liston? Not exactly a crazy take, Lewis had formidable power as well for his own size let alone compared to a man 30 pounds lighter

 

If Oliver McCall could do it...

 

Lewis was at his peak from 97-02. I would say the 99-2000 version was the best version but Rahman 2 in 2001 was arguably his best performance.

I have always favoured Liston in this match up. Lewis was extremely hittable and even the aging Holyfield hurt Lewis with left hooks in both fights but that version of Holyfield was not capable of following up well.

Liston has longer arms than Holyfield, hits considerably harder, has better endurance than that version of Holyfield and does a lot of things well.

Combine Liston's aggressiveness with Lewis's natural cautiousness, i have always picked Liston by ko.

However, i have started to be more open minded. Liston's chin was never tested vs a big super heavy like Lewis. We don't know how Liston would cope with Lewis's ramrod jab or whether he could absorb Lewis's monstorous uppercuts.

I pick Liston but i favour him to win 60% of the time. If they fought 10 times, i am sure Lewis would stop him once or twice and maybe decision him once or twice.

But given how hittable Lewis was (see Mercer, Marovoic, Holyfield etc), i pick the monstrous hitting Liston to win by a mid round stoppage.

 

Lewis is taller and heavier than pretty much anyone Liston fought as well as Liston himself and Lewis mostly excelled against sluggers that he had the size advantage against. Could Liston turn the trick, possibly he was much better than Mccall (but that is pre prime Lewis) and he’s better than Rahman (Lewis was still close to prime here but clearly didn’t train as hard as he should, the rematch proved that). I’d favor Lewis to win this match up probably 70-30. Liston was no mover on his feet or a lefty or possess the size to trouble Lennox.

 

Liston's jab will give Lewis problems for a few rounds but once he makes some adjustments Lennox would easily outbox the Bear for a late stoppage

 

Lewis may have had four inches of height on him but Sonny had the exact same reach so I think that negates the height advantage a bit. Sonny also hit hard enough to where I don't think the weight advantage would be an issue either.

I'll say this ... Lewis would have to be completely focused on the job, and more specifically focused on trying to keep Liston from hitting him, to win this fight. Because the two people who knocked Lewis out were not in the same solar system as peak Sonny Liston, who as I've noted was a quite skilled boxer in addition to being a slugger. And if Liston connects solidly he's absolutely capable of putting Lewis down for 10.

I pick Liston in a one-off, but again in a multi-fight series no one would bat 1.000.

 

Lewis had issues maintaining focus across his whole career though, not just McCall and Rahman, though they were the only ones to punish him for it. If he loses focus against Liston after outboxing him or if he becomes arrogant when he's way ahead then there would be a very real chance of Liston catching and stopping him.

 

I like Lewis to win by stoppage, barring him getting careless and being hit with a something colossal by Liston