10 rounds, 24 foot ring, gloves from 1900. Pit Corbett of the first Jeffries fight against Liston. Can he last the 10? Would he win?
I preferred to use the Corbett that squared off with the sizeable and prime Jeffries. The one who fought Jackson might have been a bit green. And let's make it ten.
Corbett was very quick on his feet, and had great defensive reflexes, and escape ability. Is you stood your ground with Sonny or could not move your feet well, you were meat in the 50's & 60’s. I cannot see Corbett darting in and out and lasting vs. a slower, but more powerful Liston for 15 rounds. However, you said 10 here and gave Gentleman Jim a big ring to work with. I will go with a Liston UD in ten rounds. 15 or more, I will take Liston via TKO/KO.
Corbett would have a chance, but I think that a focused Liston would adapt his fight plan, and gradualy cut Corbetts world down. Eventualy he would get him.
Catching and stopping or even outpointing the fleet-footed, fast-handed Jim Corbett in a mere 10 round bout would be very difficult. Liston has the size and power, but not so sure he had the footwork to catch up with Corbett. Even if he did, Jim was a very good clincher if someone got close to him. I'd be rooting for Liston because he's the fighter's fighter, the guy trying to make the fight and land vicious effective punches, but I know a lot of those who appreciate that slick style would be rooting for Corbett. Jim had those fast hands to land on Sonny and then jump away or dive in and grab, and could win a points decision. But the X factor would be what would happen if Sonny did land a few bombs.
I can't see much reason to believe Corbett can't go 10 rounds with Liston, and possibly win the decision. Liston had trouble pinning down skillful fighters who made great efforts to move around and work the angles (Machen and Clay, and the smart Bert Whitehurst ), and Corbett was a fleet-footed dancing master from most accounts.
Corbett who made a living dodging people who fought just like Liston and outboxing them.. somehow losses to liston... am I missing something here?
Corbett is also I think a pretty stellar analogue for Ali as well, similar styles. My issue with Corbett in this one is his propensity to block with shoulders and neck that i've seen. Not a good idea to let someone like Liston even forearm smash you. And Liston has a stellar jab+ reach as well, outboxing that is difficult.
Corbett was kod by ONE punch to the midsection, by a man who scaled inside the middleweight limit at the time. This content is protected My ££££ is on this guy.
Corbett, known for being the father of modern scientific boxing, was a keen student of the game, always experimenting with new techniques and developing strategies against opponents. He was not only quick on his feet, but could think on his feet and change strategies immediately as the situation might demand. He also welcomed challenges - a case in point with the Sullivan fight: He allowed Sullivan to work him into a corner (a Sullivan strength) in the first round while he was fresh in order to test his technique for getting out of the corner. He took pride in maneuvering Sullivan into "maneuvering" him into the corner all the while Sullivan thinking he was the effective aggressor. He was very effective against all styles - boxers, punchers, and all sizes. He also liked to get under the skin of an opponent (as with Fitzsimmons) as a psychological weapon. He had the ability and weapons to frustrate and outpoint a Sonny Liston over 15 rounds. On the other hand, Corbett's biggest vulnerability against Liston would be his apparent inability to take heavy punishment. Against Fitzsimmons and in Jeffries I he was taken out by one shot after leading on points. In his later fights, he tried to cut down on footwork by blocking punches. When he failed to block properly, the effects were disastrous. In Sharkey II, Sharkey threw a roundhouse and Corbett misjudged it as it landed flush, flooring Corbett and injuring his ankle, which in turn limited his mobility. Sharkey was well on the way to stopping Corbett when the latter's second entered the ring, forcing a disqualification. Jeffries II followed a similar pattern and he was fortunate to last into the 10th round. IMO, a prime Corbett (unhampered by age and years between bouts) would be able to avoid Liston's power and box his way to a UD.
Corbett-Sullivan was the late 19th century version of Ali-Liston, but I do believe the sport progressed quite a bit since then due to changes in the rules. The size of the ring would favour Corbett but I do not believe he had the power or the strength to keep an overpowering Liston at bay for long. He was not durable enough to last when Liston's heavy hands reach him.