Sonny Liston Vs Larry Holmes

I doubt that Liston would outjab Holmes but Sonny's jab was uncommonly good, uncommonly powerful. I wouldnt be surprised if their jabs cancelled each other out.
I think that Liston jabbing with Holmes, trading jabs would be in his favor because it Sonny's left lead carried power. (Angelo Dundee scouted Liston as he was bringing Ali along. He was ringside one bout that Sonny landed a solid jab. It knocked his opponents teeth out landing in front of Dundee)
Anyway I think Liston has the tools to disrupt Holmes timing just a bit. Holmes is quicker, Liston certainly stronger and more powerful.
Tough fight. I wouldn't bet this one but slightly favor Sonny Liston.

 

I can't knock you for picking Holmes. He was a certified badass. It's just thet most of the points your basing it on are not true.
Liston's reputation as a badass was established long before Ali came into the picture. You even said his power was overrated. Angelo Dundee saw him knock a man's teeth out with his jab as Dundee was sitting ringside. What motivated Dundee to make that up?

 

why being Rocky into this? Thought this was a Holmes vs Liston thread

i watched Holmes vs cruiser weight Mike Weaver last night and Holmes was on rubbery legs all night got hit with everything but the kitchen sink

you’ve got plenty to be worried about with your boy Larry

 

Lol who

 

I see Liston with a swollen eye from Larry's jab and getting outboxed on the outside.

 

I wonder who it could be

 

And once again Larry had the flu shouldn’t have even been fighting Weaver at that point! So I think he did rather good!

 

I love Larry's ability but he seemed to always have an excuse regarding a close fight. Larry fought at a frantic pace vs Weaver, was he really that sick?

 

I believe so yes…… in the Norton fight that fight was almost canceled because of the ligament injury. That did effect him. Not making excuses for him on everything. Just saying those are 2 fights where I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt with the injuries

 

I think there are reason to pick Larry and you mentioned them. But f this a tough fight one that requires some intestinal fortitude than I say for sure Holmes. I can't see Sonny fighting back for may rounds or stopping Holmes early. A prime Mike Tyson is the only man to stop Holmes was in-active and 38. A younger Holmes is a different fight. News reads show that fighters like Williams or Folly were able to get to Liston before being knock out. Not saying they were going to win rather they got to him. There were not so good non-great fighter with out good chins. And none of them had Holmes jab. Ali had a great jab and can move. Look what happened.

Holmes via 9-10th round TKO.

 

then I hope you give liston the benefit of the doubt for coming into the first Ali fight with a major shoulder injury

 

Hey if he was injured ok. Liston didn’t train etc…. For that first fight. That 2nd fight he was in shape ready to go and bam the fight got pushed back so he said the hell with it. Plus he took a dive I believe in that 2nd fight

 

He avenged that poor performance in the old man rematch 21 years later.