SONNY LISTON VS GEORGE FOREMAN (70S VERSION)

[silkov]

This would be a very interesting fight... Foreman modelled himself a lot on Liston and sparred a lot with him... who would win?.
I go for Liston... faster hands, better movement and much better technical fighter... he'd force George back with his jab and wear George down for a ko win in about 8 or 9 rounds.....

[tiredoldngrey]

Liston. I thionk he would be able to take the punchesin the early rounds onslaught; the first 3-4 of this wouyld be hell! Not only would Liston survive but he'd give back his fair share and I think then that George would tir and Liston could start dissecting him with his jab. Sonny by KO in 6th or 7th

[BoxBuzz]

I'm with George for 2 out of 3. He had the tougher "psyche" after he fought off his demons. But Liston probably takes him to school the first time out. Otherwise they are similar in skills, I think Foreman may have had the better chin and I think between the two he possessed the greater power. Foreman is the "comeback kid" of all comeback kids.

For the record George has said Liston's power was superior to his own.

[dws]

I too think Foreman wins based on when Big George found himself in trouble ala Lyle he got up and won,Liston quit twice against Ali.While he wasn't in his prime then I still think it has relevance plus I doubt he ever faced an animal like a young Foreman,not even Big Cat Williams,Foreman's not gonna get ko'd in 2 or 3 rounds by anybody.

[Sherlock]

I'd say Sonny by close but clear cut decision. The first 5 or 6 rounds would be an all out war, but when George tires Liston would command the later rounds with his better boxing skills. I can't see a KO win for either, both had solid chins. A TKO win for Liston is possibly late, but otherwise it lasts the distance.

[dnahar32]

I think an interesting dynamic here is that Sonny was George's idol. I read where it was said that if George was ever goofing around in training or not doing what he was supposed to do, Liston could be summoned to get Big George back in line. He really feared and respected Liston.

If the psychologically fragile Foreman of the 70s (as he himself has admitted) had to face his idol in the ring, he would be crushed. Forget comparing skills and what not. The 70s Foreman would be intimidated by meeting his idol and lose by early KO. He wouldn't win if they fought 10 times. Game over.

[Cojimar 1945]

Mike Tyson claimed to have been a huge fan of Larry Holmes in his youth but this didn't mean he held back in the ring. Likewise, I thought Louis was Marciano's idol but again Marciano didn't take it easy on him.

[BrocktonBlockbuster49]

yeah joe louis was eveyrones idol. even goerges. george may have though of liston as an idol and used some of his indimidation tactics, but he never respected anyone as much as he idd joe louis. he said joe louis is the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. u heard him what he said after he beat frazier " joe louis said more to be in one sentence than my corner did in 3 months." anyone remmber the full quote????

even bad boy sonny liston said his only idol was joe louis.

as for marciano, yes his idol was joe louis. he was 14 and listened to his radio lois KO 1 max schemlling. and when rocky hurt joe louis, it didnt give him any pleasure in doing so but he knew he had to cause louis was still a top contender. and after the fight, he took a timeout to write joe louis a note in his dressing room and both still have the outmost respect for eacthother. that was one of the few times rocky predicted a win. but he did it in a suttle fashion.
the reporter asked him "u think ull beat louis" " yeah i think il win". rocky said after to his friend "that was the strange question the reporter asked, if i didnt think id win, why the hell would I be fighting him for??"

Joe frazier its funny cause i have a greta interview article of him in the ring magazine in the late ninties. i was too young then, but reading it now,

the reporter: "in a recent poll of greatest heavyweights of all time, u were placed at 8. "

frazier said " 8th?? u guys at the ring
have a problem with your eyes. tell them other scamboogers that never had a fight in there life to watch the tape again. look at those films again then try to revaluate where i rate again. Id say i rate 2 or 3.
1. Joe Louis, 2. rocky marciano, 3. Joe Frazier. as for ali, i beat him so i put him somewhere under me."

reporter: "you put yourself over ali"??

Frazier" o come on man, look at the fights. dont just look at the record books and say who won and who lost. i lost two fights-george. im not gonna admit the other ones. (laughs) that third fight if eddie hadnt stopped it, the butterfly wasnt coming out. and in 74' he mugged and he hugged.i thought he wanted to make love to me. i think i won all three fights. he won 2 i won 1 but u look at us now, and u know who won em all. im here talking to you, laughing, and having a good time. "



i will admit frazier got the better of the series cause the only fight were frazier was in his prime and ali was not far from his prime was frazier-ali I. and frazier won that one so the other ones dont mean as much. its what u do when ur at ur best.

[thunderfromdownunder]

foremab winss between triunds 3 and 6

[BoxBuzz]

I was thinking it's what you do while your alive. What you do after that doesnt count. Foreman did some of his most interesting if not best work past his prime. So did Walcott.

[Syntax Error]

I'd go with Liston on pts or late TKO.

Liston was tough & would have been able to take Foreman's power.

He once fought with a broken jaw & not many can say that.

[john2345]

Liston....better, straighter puncher. Could probably take George's shots and hit back hard.

J