This isn't fact at all since Tyson is the guy who knocked out the bigger guys and the fighters were never stopped. And you need to be medicated if think Liston was anywhere near as fast.
And I'll pick Liston since Ruddock got caught with overhand rights by Lewis and Bonecrusher, but this purely an imagination pick since Liston never beat anyone as big and good as Ruddock (no Cleveland Williams).
Not sure if English is your first language, but "if not as fast as" implies that Liston might've been as fast as Tyson.
Ruddock has a punchers chance, but Liston is better fundamentally. Plus that jab would pick Ruddock apart who was never that hard to hit.
I went off on a bit of a tangent on Liston and Patterson than actually answering the question. Regarding Liston-Ruddock, I guess in that matchup or comparison I like Liston better. Ruddock was a pretty good sized heavyweight himself, and he could punch, but in the fights against Tyson, and Morrison, he fell short... and against Lewis he totally froze and was stopped quickly. Something tells me he freezes against Liston too and gets stopped.
Ruddock, however, had a history of losing to smaller guys - Tyson, Morrison. Past prime Weaver also gave him all he could handle. And Liston was much better than Weaver or Morrison
That isn't a valid point. Ruddock's best wins were against guys who were around Liston's size except for Bonecrusher who was probably a little bigger. Ruddock was inactive and disinterested in boxing for the Morrison fight and still mightve won if not for a premature stoppage...doesn't count for much.
Liston is far too tight technically to be beaten by Ruddock. He's shown he can come back from big punches early and adapt rapidly and effectively. It's Cleveland Williams all over again, likely with a bit more duration.
