Sonny Liston vs Oleksandr Usyk

Liston falls into two crowds on this forum, more so than any other besides maybe Mike Tyson.

Group A: Liston was an underrated monster with an 84 inch reach and a jab that could break down walls and knockout godzilla. He would destroy anyone head to head.

Group B: Liston was overrated and knocked out a weak chinned Patterson and could never beat a mover.

While I myself fall closer to Group A in favoring a prime Liston over many modern day boxers, Usyk is special. Usyk would hit Liston from angles he didn't even know existed, with footwork the likes of which no one had ever seen and Usyk has a great chin if Liston is able to land flush and that's a big "if"

Usyk has seen every style and walked into everyone's backyard and eaten their souls.

Usyk UD12. Possible late stoppage

 

Usyk

 

Usky by close and competitive decision.

 

Schooling similar to fighting Liston Vs Muhammad Ali, but with Usyk spices.
Angles, foot work, sauthpow, ring IQ, no fear ...
Usyk would be out of reach for Liston.
Usyk wins by points, or surrender between rounds (Liston's version of Duran's statement: "no more").

 

I think Usyk is one of the best to ever glove up at Hw or any weight. I also think Liston is as well. Liston in his prime was better then anyone Usyk faced. A notch or two above Joshua imo. I think it’s a highly competitive bout that I don’t dare pick a winner. Usyk if he gets his match with Fury and whoops him like I imagine will be a top tener

 

Usyk outboxes him early but Liston was a better boxer than people remember and starts to slowly grind him down, a peak Liston had very good stamina and would be able to live with Usyk in that department, he also had a very high punch output for a heavyweight, similar to usyk. I think Liston would go to Usyk’s body which would be the key for him in slowing him down and stopping him late in a very close competitive fight with Usyk maybe ahead on the cards until the finish

 

When has a prime Liston ever quit?

 

When has a prime Liston fought with (not prime) Muhammad Ali?

 

Two very different types of fighters who have never met the other’s like before. Not totally sure myself.

 

Um what? This makes no sense whatsoever because (aside from Liston being injured and aging) Usyk was nothing like Ali.

 

That’s a good one, Jason. I suppose that I could give a better answer after we see Usyk battle Joshua again or possibly a comebacking Tyson Fury. But I have to go with Liston right now by KO.

 

The two Liston kayos over a peak, yet to be shot Cleveland Williams cashes in that "impressive" check quite nicely

 

One good performance at heavyweight (excellent as it may have been) isn't good enough for me to favor Usyk over Liston. Now if he beats, Fury or Wilder then we could talk.

 

At this moment in time, I'd favor Usyk to win a decision over Sonny Liston. However (if it was possible to actually have this fight), I wouldn't bet on such a fantasy fight until I had seen more of Usyk. Oleksandr Usyk vs. even Deontay Wilder might give me a better idea.