Foreman is replaced by a peak Liston? Liston KO2, as quick or quicker than Foreman beat him in their first fight. Liston IMO is the worst match up for any swarmer, period, even worse than Foreman. Thoughts?
No, he is not worse than foreman for the swarmers, not even close,in fact we never saw liston against a real great hw swarmer , it is a fight that sonny should win against 73 frazier but he would have more problems than foreman, actually this frazier would be around 2 pounds heavier than prime liston ,here he is not facing a small framed like patterson,frazier was a bull, sonny did not push back his rivals like forman did so it would allow frazier works the body
The only difference is that Liston would smash his jab in more before shortening his punches and breaking Frazier down
The fight would go longer ,Liston was more patient that a young George maybe 6/7rds but the same result.
Liston wouldn't need to push Frazier's shoulders to find room like Big George did, as he had the impaling jab to create room.
Very hard question, picking winners is very difficult picking winners and naming the round is almost impossible. That said my total guess is no, he wouldn't get it done as quickly. Unlike Foreman, Liston was a fine infighter and he might try to make things happen up close. Certainly they would plan for when Joe closed the distance and it wouldn't be giving a push and punching. So I think Joe might get going a bit and would last a good dunt longer. I'd still pick Liston to win, styles, but I think that past-prime version of Joe would do a few more rounds.