Sonny Liston Has To Prove Himself In A Baptism of Fire..?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Feb 28, 2025.

?

Can Liston win Here?

  1. Absolutely!

    33.3%
  2. No, Louis beats any version of him

    51.9%
  3. Can't decide

    14.8%
  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    A young, nearly prime Sonny Liston Has to fight Joe Louis in a fight to prove how good he is.

    This is champ brown bomber, he's just smashed Schmeling to bits.

    This is Sonny s big chance, he's the under dog but he knows how good he is.

    Does he prove himself iyo?
     
  2. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    I don’t think so, I see Louis raining down some blitzing counters with the gap in handspeed
     
  3. nyterpfan

    nyterpfan Member Full Member

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    I think the combination of Sonny's reach advantage, pulverizing left jab, technical boxing skill, strength, and more durable chin would offset Louis's hand speed and accurate punching power. I'd go with Sonny in a late stoppage--roughly 11-12 rounds.
     
  4. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Sonny's jab makes the difference here , I've always favored Liston in this matchup
     
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  5. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Louis would have to get by that jab, and if he does get past it can he deal with what's coming behind it?

    I think he can do it, seeing as Joe has an awesome jab himself and his faster, cleaner and better executed combinations would see him through to a late rounds TKO.
     
  6. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    Any version of “The Bear” is bludgeoned like a baby seal by Louis its just a terrible match up for Ol Liston.
     
  7. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I mean, the truth is in between the two extremes. Liston was better than anyone Louis beat, and Louis was better than anyone Liston beat. I chose Louis because I suspect Louis was the better man, but it's not out of the question Sonny wins it.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2025
  8. FThabxinfan

    FThabxinfan Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Louis because young Liston was inexperienced and can't even ko Beet Whitehurst unlike the old mongoose.
     
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  9. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

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    We know Liston's instinct was to intimidate his opponents. That intimidation factor was an essential part of his arsenal. Would Liston intimidate Louis? There is no way. Louis had supreme confidence and quiet pride. Liston would enter that fight without that very important weapon. I propose that this time Sonny would be the intimidated one.
     
  10. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    I saw how Cleveland Williams set Liston on fire before crumbling. I think Louis is better than Williams, and certainly a better combination puncher. Not to say Liston can't win because I think he's tougher than Louis but Louis has cracked up guys like Baer before.

    When I look at the pedigrees I have to go with Louis.
     
  11. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

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    We're talking about prime Joe Louis here kids...1938-1940...against slow...lumbering Liston who quit against Cassius Clay. Prime Louis wipes the floor with the overrated Liston!
     
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  12. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    I personally rate Louis below Liston due to how they match up against high tier fighters at heavyweight, but I think that Joe beats out Sonny here. I think Louis beats him even when he's in his prime... Charles got no chance pre-prime.
     
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  13. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    Really who can Liston beat IYO that Mr Louis couldn’t? I agree though, Louis would beat “Prime” Liston, I think he’d stop him pretty quickly.
     
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  14. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    I think he has better chances against Tyson and Frazier. Everybody has a good chance against everybody else at the peak of the weight-class, it's just a matter of who has better percentages against that tough competition.
     
  15. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    I don’t know about being tougher than Louis what’s the evidence IYO? The Williams fight? Louis got up from a few flash knockdowns and dominated the fight, he fought more punchers too… Walcott, Baer 1, Baer 2, Simon, Two Ton, Farr, Schemling and Uzcudun - Liston really only fought and rumbled with Folley and Williams… Ali?