Who beats Sonny Liston?

[Goodnight, Irene]

I would like to add Riddick Bowe to the list as well.

You might, but Riddick sure wouldnt.

[ryanst1982]

No I meant my post. King Carlos hasnt refuted his post, I honestly believe he means his post. If he was being sarcastic I apologise.

[Rocky Balboa]

Sonny would murder Tyson

Of course he would. Because he wouldn't be scared, and the only thing it takes to beat Tyson is to not be scared. That's why Pacquiao would beat him, because he has no fear.

Lol @ the folk who really believe all it takes to beat a Prime Tyson is not be intimidated. Tyson, when once asked "why do you think it is that your opponents are so intimidated by you?" Tyson: "I don't know, but what I do know is that when my fist lands upon their Jaw, that's when they become Intimidated". Lol

[Seamus]

Sonny Liston never beat an alltime great in his career. He beat some good fighters decisively, but none that were outstanding. He possessed some good skills, but his attributes have been raised to mythic proportions, and for a guy with reputedly one of the greatest jabs ever, he was pretty much reduced to reaching in and lunging with it vs Clay. Considering some of the lesser fighters who were able to hit him early, I believe Tyson would have put his lights out inside of 4.

[ryanst1982]

Sonny Liston never beat an alltime great in his career. He beat some good fighters decisively, but none that were outstanding. He possessed some good skills, but his attributes have been raised to mythic proportions, and for a guy with reputedly one of the greatest jabs ever, he was pretty much reduced to reaching in and lunging with it vs Clay. Considering some of the lesser fighters who were able to hit him early, I believe Tyson would have put his lights out inside of 4.

I can't agree w/this. I'm not trying to make excuses, but, the Liston in the Clay/Ali fights and the Liston before that don't even look like the same fighter. True, you could say this was due to the superior boxing ability of Clay/Ali, but, something just looked off w/him and hearing how people around him said he was seriously underestimating Clay (in the first fight) it wouldn't surprise me if he came in underprepared and thus not in his best form. But, what's done is donen.

I dont feel he was under prepared for Ali, I feel he simply had no way of dealings with him and so looked very ordinary. Ali was just far to good for Liston IMO
I dint

[Seamus]

Of course I saw them Barry, and which fighters exactly were so good that Liston's beating them raises his status to that of an alltime great ?

Cleveland Williams got to Liston early, before being demolished, but Tyson wouldn't ?

[raylawpc]

Of course I saw them Barry, and which fighters exactly were so good that Liston's beating them raises his status to that of an alltime great ?

Cleveland Williams got to Liston early, before being demolished, but Tyson wouldn't ?

Apples and oranges: Tyson and Williams had completely different styles.

[dempseyfire]

Of course I saw them Barry, and which fighters exactly were so good that Liston's beating them raises his status to that of an alltime great ?

Cleveland Williams got to Liston early, before being demolished, but Tyson wouldn't ?

Apples and oranges: Tyson and Williams had completely different styles.

For starters, Williams was taller and longer than Liston, and he nailed Liston with long counter left hooks. Tyson at 5'10 would have to dip inside right into Sonny's wheelbarrow to land effective punches. And Liston was a beast on the inside; very effective short hooks, uppercuts, and body shots.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Of course I saw them Barry, and which fighters exactly were so good that Liston's beating them raises his status to that of an alltime great ?

Cleveland Williams got to Liston early, before being demolished, but Tyson wouldn't ?

I've got news for you...

Liston's opposition>Tyson's.

[ryanst1982]

I see all your points here but im still favouring Tyson here. I think his speed would have been main factor and I think it would have been over by 5. Both fighters dont have best resume so we are going completely on performances. I think tyson speed in his prime would be main factor. I hear your points on Sonnys defence, but lets not forget Tyson's in his early years. He was very, very difficult to hit because of his movement. Yes, at that time he faced noone like Liston, but the same can be said for Liston. IMO Tyson beats every opponent Liston fought in his prime (pre Ali). And I think he would have to much for sonny. Would love to watch this fight either way. All out war. Someone getting hurt either way.

[big train express]

Cassius Clay
George Foreman
Vitali Klitschko
Mike Tyson
Evander Holyfield
Charlie Zelenoff
Lennox Lewis
Joe Louis
Larry Holmes

to name a few

[Seamus]

I could see Lamon Brewster doing a Leotis Martin on him.

[dempseyfire]

I could see Lamon Brewster doing a Leotis Martin on him.

Get the F outta here . . Martin was a far superior fighter to Brewster. The only think Brewster would be doing to Liston is making his hands sore by blocking so many punches with his face.

[raylawpc]

I could see Lamon Brewster doing a Leotis Martin on him.

Me too! . . . If Sonny hadn't died and they fought in 2004.

[Giancarlo]

How's your own career coming along Barry?

[ryanst1982]

Some people in here are really doing a disservice to Sonny. As far as resumes go, besides Ali, Louis & Holmes. Who do you really rank having a more superior HW resume? It's shocking to see how low some people rank Sonny. This man was Tyson before Tyson and a much bigger/scarier version. Tyson was more elusive, but, Liston was more of a destroyer. Sparring partners wearing chest padding, Sonny having to wear 22 oz gloves while sparring, had humongous hands, gives you a little insight on how dangerous a prime Sonny Liston was.

Errr George Foreman

[ryanst1982]

You asked who other than Ali, Holmes and Louis had s more impressive H/w resume and I gave the answer George Foreman. Simple really

[Giancarlo]

How's your own career coming along Barry?

Pretty well actually. I've had to sit out for close to a month now due to a broken right middle knuckle. Can't wait to get back and hopefully turn professional by 2013.

Good stuff.

[BoxBuzz]

Just searched for a Liston thread to put this in.

Interesting exhibtion between Liston and Terrell.....I hadn't seen it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Qlx2wWDTMyo

[tagjohnson]

Well, I rate Liston as my all time #2 so...