How would Liston handle the 6'6 250 pound Buddy Baer? I pick Liston to stop him, but Baer was strong and could hit. And Liston didn't have the hand speed or countering ability of a prime Joe Louis so could he be more of a tougher opponent for Liston than Louis?
Liston`s left hook used to come out of nowhere and was a lot quicker than his other punches. Part of the reason why bigger fighters usually have an advantage over smaller fighters is their reach is much longer but Liston had some of the longest arms in boxing history so he above all other olden day fighters would do well against supersized heavies like Wlad and Vitali, he would out jab Buddy with that ramrod jab.
Sonny Liston vs. SHWs was a treat the boxing universe was unfortunate to miss out on. He would box smart from the outside, using constant subtle head movement to offset their jab, giving different looks, changing his rhythm and pace, utilizing his balance to stay in optimal position, and footwork to remain unstuck in angles. And then you would see the marvel. His lightning quick battering ram jab off an 84" reach. It would be the perfect tool against the SHWs. He can out jab them, combining his power with the flexibility of his compact frame to slip and move to avoid theirs. It would look freakish, seeing the smaller Liston shooting his tree trunk arm out, and seeing it rip through guards of big guys, and zapping their heads back. The jab would open up many lucrative attack options for him, such as getting on the inside and ripping away hooks to the body and overhands to the head. This goes for Baer and most SHWs. He would start boxing on the outside in the first round or two, and slowly start walking them down as the jab switches their gears and they start to panic. Sonny Liston KO Baer 10 via body shot.
Buddy Baer beat up a bull in Quo Vadis so Liston should be easy meat. yes, that is Buddy Baer tackling the bull. This content is protected
Looks like Chuck gave a good account of himself there. (Liston could have been 50 at the time, who knows.) Sonny also displayed good stamina, considering that it went 9 hard fought rounds.
Liston would break Buddy Baer down, and stop him, for the reasons given. I do feel that Joe Louis does not get enough credit, for his proven record against heavyweights this size! You don't have the "it is reasonable to assume " argument, as you do with Marciano, Liston, and even Ali!
Buddy had no jab for a big guy, Liston would eat him alive bc he would have nothing to keep a long power jabber off him .Buddy walked straight ahead with his hands poorly placed like he had concrete boots on.His biggest attribute was probably his chin,otherwise louis would have planted him by round 3 the first time..the second time? well read the quote below.. "I didn't like to hurt people, and I didn't like getting hurt" B.Baer Liston knocks him out inside 5 rnds.
