Sonny Liston beats George Foreman

Sonny was the better boxer with the straighter punching. Stamina is seriously in his favor. (In Foreman's first career, he NEVER produced a knockdown beyond round five, with his stunning of Young at the outset of round seven the only significant outburst of power later than that.) Watch 197 pound Greg Peralta stand his ground at times, making George move around him. Liston had much better balance than Foreman, superior command of the center line, and the action would be conducted at his preferred range, on the end of his longer punches. If George was indeed physically stronger, the difference was negligible, and he'd still have to get close enough to use it. If he did make Sonny engage his reverse gear, Liston looked fine using it with Scrap Iron Johnson.

In the event Foreman did tee off initially, and drew first blood, well check out Sonny's abbreviated wars with Big Cat Williams. Frustrating him like Clay, Whitehurst, Machen, Marshall, Summerlin and Joiner did is one thing, punching him out is another. Foreman-Lyle was life and death for George with an opponent on the brink of turning 35, while Sonny's executions of the Big Cat occurred when Cleveland was 25 and 26 years old.

Liston was more proactive on defense, while George was wide open to the head and body. Jimmy Young went to town on Foreman's body in San Juan, and even Ali exploited this availability a few times. By late stoppage (most likely) or clear UD, Sonny takes this. George's only chance is to get him early, and we saw what happened when the much faster Big Cat attempted this twice.

 

Very easy win for Foreman, his brutal power jab and relentless pressure would overwhelm Liston quickly. Foreman wins by Ko in 4.

 

Big Cat had spurts of success. Granted, he was much faster than Foreman. I wouldn't call him more aggressive. And Foreman certainly took a punch better, and had better resolve. It would be a fun fight to watch that's all I know.

 

common opponents can only tell us so much.

liston takes this one.

 

good point. this one, surprisingly, seems pretty clear for 2 top all time greats going head to head

 

Foreman KO within 5 rounds - A real brutal KO this time, not the phantom punch type which can KO Liston

 

but why? do you think foreman can really get past that jab?

 

this would be a better fight against old foreman. f*ck young foreman.

 

meh, both are way overrated

 

yep.

 

I take it you're new to the Queen's as well, tartan ?

 

Well Foreman got past Ali's jab - It was Ali's iron jaw and will to win that prevailed. Liston could NOT take that punishment

 

Foreman.

I just can't picture someone that's 6 feet nothing trying to slug one out with George.

I think Sonny's best chance of winning is if he uses his better boxing skills and stays away from Foreman by using his jab and picking his right hand shots to keep him honest.

 

why would liston slug it out though? he really wasn't a slugger but a heavy hitting boxer/puncher. foreman wouldn't get near him like he did lyle, wouldn't push him back like he did frazier and wouldn't dictate the fight like he did norton. liston would ram the jab down his throat for 2 rounds and then pick george apart.

 

OK. Sonny simply steps inside Foremans round houses and KOs him quicker.