sonny liston vs joe louis

Louis TKO9

 

In that kind of fight, I'd take the faster fighter of the two, Louis, by a KO in the late rounds....but he would have to be very careful...

I'll let the wiser posters debate about this match-up.

 

On paper Louis dose everything a bit better and faster. This type of match up tends to turn on who beats who to the punch so Louis should theoreticaly win.

I do think however that Liston is one of the few heavyweights with the stylistic tools to upset Louis.

 

Joe louis in 5-6 rds KO

 

Liston takes another sinister dive

 

Joe Louis would win. He would have to watch his step against Liston but I think his faster hands would be the difference.Joe Louis by a mid rounds KO.

 

Liston would not have the modern size advantage over Louis that so many modern heavyweights would have. Liston at his best, was 6'0", and mybe 210 Lbs. Louis was at least 6'2", and about the same weight, only visibly in better condition. he was a much better punching technichian than Cleveland Williams, Floyd Patterson and Zora Folley. He also took punches from many great hitters over many rounds, proving his chin. I'm also not sure that Liston ever went 15 rounds, without checking boxrec of course. Louis was a step above anyone who Liston ever faced, except Ali who destroyed him, and who had not even fully developed yet. When we think about it, Liston never really proved himself against a truly all time great puncher, whereas Louis certainly fought many; B. Baer, M. Baer, M. Schmeling, etc.

I pick Louis by late stoppage.

 

Liston has the puncher's chance, as his chin is better than Louis'. Liston had a great, heavy jab, but I think you have to be able to move with that jab in order to beat Louis. Liston is mainly coming forward behind it. Liston also didn't like to stay outside for too long. If Liston jumps him early, he's got a chance of catching him. People forget how hard and accurate Louis' jab was. I have trouble seeing Liston getting knocked out, but this is the likely scenario.

Louis TKO 9

 

Anything is possible.

If I was able to place a wager on this in that great ring in the sky I would say that Liston is a good, not great style match up for Louis. Liston has power, a good enough jaw, good enough size, good enough mobility that it would in no way be a cake walk for Louis.

That being said, I think that Louis lands more often, paces himself better throughout the fight, and works on Liston in the later rounds.

After a few early rounds where things are neck and neck, Louis begins to run away with it and wears down Liston through the use of combinations which finds Liston either out sometime during the championship rounds (12-15) or losing a UD maybe 10-5.

pure speculation though, because I don't think that either man ever fought anyone who resembles the other guy.

 

Liston was 6'1 around 210-215lb but his muscular dimensions were much bigger than joe louis's. He also had a 84" reach compared to joe louis 76" reach. Louis at his peak was around 200lb flat. a good 10lb lighter(198 for schmeling II fight). So though liston wont enjoy a considerable size advantage, louis was by no means as big as sonny.

better condition? are you implying sonny liston entered his fights not as physically prepared? have you seen his training clips? the man worked hard in the gym and did things few could do. If you look at his body, liston was ripped to shreds and more muscular and stronger than joe louis.

And Sonny liston was a much greater punching technican than schmeling, both baers, galento, walcott

He also got floored by Baer, Galento, Braddock, Walcott, sent flying across the ring by one mauriello punch, nearly knocked out by 175lb conn, and knocked out by schmeling. So clearly his chin is not unbreakable. especially not by a puncher like liston.

No liston didnt have too and he was never given the oppertunity. But he did go 12 hard fought rounds with eddie machen without any notable signs of tiring, and 10 rounds many times.

Liston was a step above anyone who louis ever faced, except marciano who destroyed him.

Cleveland Williams, floyd patterson, and nino valdez both were at/if not a higher punching level than Buddy Baer and Max schmeling. Max schmeling knocked out joe louis by the way. cleveland williams was one of the hardest hitters of all time, and liston took his punches without blinking.