Sonny Liston vs Earnie Shavers, both prime. Who wins and why?

Liston wins.
Liston had fights with Williams, you know how they ended.
Shavers doesn't have a chin like Muhammad Ali.
Liston is a better technician and ATG is a boxer.
Too bad you didn't post a vote, I think the vast majority would vote for Liston.

 

Liston KO in the mid rounds. Far too much class for someone as crude as Shavers.

 

Liston all the way. Sonny stops Earnie within four rounds but the latter makes it lively for a round or two. Liston just has more in his arsenal than Shavers. Earnie had that big right but Sonny had a variety of punches and could hit hard with BOTH hands.

 

Liston easily--Shavers might raise a bit of a stir with landing a good shot early but Sonny would have WAY too much boxing skill and punching power for Earnie to deal with. KO in 4-5 rounds tops.

 

I think most would think Sonny had the better skill and jab and reach but a question would be, did Sonny ever fight someone that could hit like Shavers?

I would pick Sonny, but Shavers would be dangerous, and question would be how does Sonny handle Shaver's power? IMO Sonnys best defense would be a good offence

Some body work and distance would be Sonnys best bet to break down Earnie's stamina if the fights go past 8-9 rounds

Interesting fight

 

Did Liston ever fight someone that could hit like Shavers? No, but neither did anyone else in history other than those that fought Foreman and maybe Wilder?

I think Liston is better at most of the attributes that make one a good boxer over Shavers. Shavers could end anyone's night early but I think the most likely scenario is Liston ending Shavers night in the mid rounds.

 

Liston early

 

Liston usually won the big fight. Shavers usually did not.

 

Mismatch.

Earnie is not going to like that jab 1 iota. And he is hardly nimble enough to avoid it. And Sonny will land the big left hook when Shavers dips to throw his right hand. A telegrapher whenever he wants to throw the right hand. He dips and a nasty left hook is on the way. All over and quick.

 

Liston for me. Shavers really went just for the head, he very rarely went to the body.
Yes he was dangerous, he obviously hit like a mule, but it's not enough here for me.
Unless Shavers can get lucky, then Liston chews him up and hurts him.
Liston between 5 - 7 rounds imo

 

Liston fought prime Cleveland Williams twice, an arguable ATG puncher, you don't get to rule the roost of the HW division without facing other big hitters just because most of the big men can bang. The Ali anchor punch in the 2nd fight may raise eyebrows about Liston's chin but Sonny showed up unmotivated, unprepared, and was old, as well as being the victim of poor officiating. I think he'd handle Earnie pretty well.

 

Sonny "crapped" his pants in the 2 biggest fights of his life...do some research!!!