Who was the better fighter, Sonny Liston or Evander Holyfield?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rakesh, Jan 8, 2022.



  1. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Lmao no. Patterson was an excellent fighter and to dominate him was incredible. Folley, Machen, Williams were also top notch wins and they were all prime. Can’t really say Larry or Foreman were anywhere near prime.
     
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  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    Are you forgetting the literal trove of fighters Evander beat check out boxrec sometime. Larry and George are both better wins then Floyd and all those guys lmao. God sake, The Tyson he beat would steam roll all of those guys Liston beat make a poll if you have the balls.
     
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  3. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don’t need to make a poll to justify my opinion. Tyson win was excellent as was the Bowe win. Liston didn’t have an unfocused out of prime Tyson to hit around. If anything the Bowe win was Evanders best. Just my opinion on that. As far as Patterson Machen and Folley go I think you’re severely underrating them. All excellent top thirty fighters ever arguably. Top forty at a minimum. Patterson being a top 20. Holmes and Foreman were great fighters but that’s like saying the Louis win for Marciano was something special. Although Louis was younger then both by a bit. Holyfield was awesome and a warrior but Liston would knock him out
     
  4. slash

    slash Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I like that because that qualifies as "going out on a limb" in this place.

    Holyfield, the most flexible of heavyweights, along with Ali and .. Louis?.. would make Liston look stiff, like he did to Tyson. Stand him right up. And serve it while he was stiff.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2022
  5. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    Holyfield, every category
     
  6. Balder

    Balder Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Holyfield in almost every category.

    But , Liston wins a match between them.
     
  7. slash

    slash Boxing Addict Full Member

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    If Liston is the favorite going in.. hah hah.. snicker snicker.. chortle chortle.. Holyfield wins 100%
     
  8. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    You're delusional on multiple fronts.
     
  9. PernellSweetPea

    PernellSweetPea Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield proved more.
     
  10. Furey

    Furey EST & REG 2009 Full Member

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    Lol please.... Liston isn't stopping Evander
     
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  11. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Did my psychiatrist tell you that?
     
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  12. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic For the honorable cross and the golden freedom Full Member

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    Resume: Holyfield
    Scandalously stolen for a LHW gold medal at the 1984 Olympics. Undisputed, and undefeted cruiserweight champion. Then comes his HW career.

    H2H compatibility: Tie
    Of all six comparisons, Liston has best chance here. The big question is whether there would be rematch. Evander is Flexible boxer (Holyfield-Bowe 2, Holyfield-Lewis 2, Holyfield-Moorer 2).

    Who did better in their era: Holyfield
    Lineal CW champion, two times lineal, four times HW champion. Long and successful career. I dont know a boxer who has fought so many times with former, future, and current world champions; quite successfully.

    Whos style more versatile/useful: Holyfield
    Liston has a great job and crushing power, but Evander's arsenal is broader. Evander is not spectacular in anything, but he is very good at everything. And has higher ring IQ.

    Who had a better career: Holyfield
    Reel Deal. Liston flashed like a meteor in the night sky because of 2xKO1 Patterson. Evander's career was much longer and more successful. He had no escaped almost any significant boxer during his career.

    Ranking higher in top 10 HW list: Holyfield
    Evander is in top 10; Sonny is not.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2022
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  13. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I think Liston was better in every category.
     
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  14. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Holyfield was great but I don't see him in quite the same class as Liston.
     
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  15. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    Evander Liston. No! Sonny Holyfield. No, wait. Evan Charles Fields. Final answer.