Prime Sonny Liston vs Prime Evander Holyfield, 15 rounds.

x2.

The key words are "outworks Sonny."

 

I can see any of those scenarios happening, but I think if Liston was to stop Holy it would be in the middle rounds. To me prime Liston was a significantly better fighter than prime Bowe, and would have adapted to Holy's style by the fourth or fifth round. There would be some fireworks throughout, but I just don't see Holy doing too well coming in for long. Liston was too brutish to let him keep darting in (like Holy was wont to do) and he'd just keep pushing him off (or knocking him back with the jab, as Swag mentioned). Holy's rushes would get less and less enthused to the point of getting staggered all over the ring by the 8th and getting stopped not long after (and getting this stoppage would be hard work throughout for Sonny). Though not quite the level of Louis, Sonny was similar in that he was comfortable throwing combinations with power (not super snappy but still). The combined weight would be hell for Holy.

This is coming from a HUGE fan of Holy who I feel is #4 heavyweight ATG.

 

Holyfield...Better fighter...tougher...a lot more heart...

 

This for me as well

 

Evander does not do so well against the jabbers. And this guy has one and a great lefthook off the jab as well. Evander's toughness see's him to the end, but drops the decision losing way too many rounds to those jabs.

 

Close fight. I cautiously favour Liston by mid-rounds stoppage.

Liston is about the best opponent in a head-to-head sense I think Holyfield could realistically beat, among the greats.

 

As game and tough a fighter as Holyfield was prime Liston would have too much reach and power--along with very underrated boxing skills. That pulverizing left jab would take a serious toll on EH as the fight progressed. Sonny in an 8th round stoppage or KO.

 

It's Liston all the way. For me the question mark is whether Holyfield lands his right counter over Sonny's jab and whether it hurts or deters Liston. I don't think it does. But it's an interesting and suspenseful fight. Later in his career Sonny's stamina would be a problem against Evander but not in 1959-60.

 

Grat fight two warrior but imo Liston by tko, last rounds. Too big, too strong and he knew too much for Holy .

 

Too big? They're literally the same size. If anything, Holyfield is a little taller and a little heavier.

 

arm's length, remember that I don't know how to use English but you should know what I meant... I guess

 

This is my thought on this hypothetical match-up.
Liston had a excellent jab, and could stick to a game plan.
Where Holyfield could be manipulated to fight to an opponents
strength .
Liston behind his jab frustrates Holyfield , Holyfield would do
as he did , become more aggressive, allowing Liston to
counter him repeatedly . Liston's better jab and power would
win him a ud.

Not one of those fighters you listed were better than prime Liston.
Especially at the time Holyfield faced them, most in fact were well past their best years.
The only exception were Bowe and Lewis who some feel Holyfield was 0-5 or 1-4
against.

 

Liston.

Holyfield could beat anyone in his era but most of his HW title opponents gave him problems. I don't think he'd have any answer for Listons jab and reach. I'm not super confident Liston would stop Holyfield because Holyfield was pretty durable but I am confident Liston would win and it wouldn't be close.

 

Lewis was bigger and better than Liston, more skilled.
Bowe was bigger and faster.
Foreman was stronger and Holmes had better jab than Liston.

And he was too past prime but still fighting.
Holyfield fought guys 220 plus ppunds fighters while Liston fought guys 185-200, Holyfield is more proven and better than anyone Liston beat.
Best fighter Liston faced as good as prime Holyfield was pre prime undeveloped kid called Cassius Clay against whom he quit twice and was beaten to the pulp.