Heavyweights: Sonny Liston vs Lennox Lewis

[elmersalsa]

Two big heavyweights with great jabs and punching power. who wins this exciting match?

[Ezzard]

Liston. He has a jab and reach that would at least equal Lennox's. In a fire fight I think Liston wins.

[misterpunch]

i take lennox in a very close contest over 12 rounds

[Seamus]

Either Lewis wins by KO in the first half or wide decision.

[gilgamesh]

Lewis would know very well about Liston's stiff jab and punching power, he would mainly jab him from a distance in the early going. Lean on him in the clinches to wear him down, and step up the aggression around the 7th whenever Liston starts looking noticeably winded. Lewis KO late or wide decision.

[dempseyfire]

Lewis would know very well about Liston's stiff jab and punching power, he would mainly jab him from a distance in the early going. Lean on him in the clinches to wear him down, and step up the aggression around the 7th whenever Liston starts looking noticeably winded. Lewis KO late or wide decision.

Like he did Ray Mercer?

I had Ray a close winner in their fight and Liston was 3 times the fighter Merciless was . . much better defense, longer arms, better stamina, better technique and close to an equal chin. At his peak he also had very under-rated quickness and handspeed, which he developed fighting lots of well conditioned, fast heavyweights coming up the ranks.

Lennox on the other hand usually enjoyed a speed advantage vs the likes of Ruddock, Bruno, Tua, Grant, Rahman etc. meaning he could get usually choose the pace he wanted, which benefited a big man like him (the quick handed Shannon Briggs gave Lennox all sorts of issues until his gas tank ran out after 2 rounds per usual, and a lethargic Evander had success when his diminshed reflexes remembered to throw punches) Vs a well conditioned pressure fighter with skills and a consistent jab like Liston, Lewis would get worn down.

[The End]

Lewis would know very well about Liston's stiff jab and punching power, he would mainly jab him from a distance in the early going. Lean on him in the clinches to wear him down, and step up the aggression around the 7th whenever Liston starts looking noticeably winded. Lewis KO late or wide decision.

Like he did Ray Mercer?

I had Ray a close winner in their fight and Liston was 3 times the fighter Merciless was . . much better defense, longer arms, better stamina, better technique and close to an equal chin. At his peak he also had very under-rated quickness and handspeed, which he developed fighting lots of well conditioned, fast heavyweights coming up the ranks.

Lennox on the other hand usually enjoyed a speed advantage vs the likes of Ruddock, Bruno, Tua, Grant, Rahman etc. meaning he could get usually choose the pace he wanted, which benefited a big man like him (the quick handed Shannon Briggs gave Lennox all sorts of issues until his gas tank ran out after 2 rounds per usual, and a lethargic Evander had success when his diminshed reflexes remembered to throw punches) Vs a well conditioned pressure fighter with skills and a consistent jab like Liston, Lewis would get worn down.

Dempseyfire picks the fighter from the older era. What a surprise.

Easy to point out Lewis' rough night with Mercer.

Lennox would enjoy a speed advantage over Liston as well. As well as a much bigger size advantage than it would seem. I would give Liston the advantage in power and if he could catch Lewis it would be over but Lewis could also catch Liston and I would give Lewis the advantage in skill as well.

Lewis UD

[hhaehre]

Lewis would know very well about Liston's stiff jab and punching power, he would mainly jab him from a distance in the early going. Lean on him in the clinches to wear him down, and step up the aggression around the 7th whenever Liston starts looking noticeably winded. Lewis KO late or wide decision.

Like he did Ray Mercer?

I had Ray a close winner in their fight and Liston was 3 times the fighter Merciless was . . much better defense, longer arms, better stamina, better technique and close to an equal chin. At his peak he also had very under-rated quickness and handspeed, which he developed fighting lots of well conditioned, fast heavyweights coming up the ranks.

Lennox on the other hand usually enjoyed a speed advantage vs the likes of Ruddock, Bruno, Tua, Grant, Rahman etc. meaning he could get usually choose the pace he wanted, which benefited a big man like him (the quick handed Shannon Briggs gave Lennox all sorts of issues until his gas tank ran out after 2 rounds per usual, and a lethargic Evander had success when his diminshed reflexes remembered to throw punches) Vs a well conditioned pressure fighter with skills and a consistent jab like Liston, Lewis would get worn down.

Dempseyfire picks the fighter from the older era. What a surprise.

Easy to point out Lewis' rough night with Mercer.

He was out-jabbed and out-boxed by Bruno as well. Lewis could stop Liston late and even possibly outpoint him but he'd have to last and I doubt he would. Prime Liston (around 1960) was a beast.

[Ezzard]

Whilst I vote for Liston this is close. And the idea that Lennox gets tapped on the chin and falls twitching to the canvas is wrong.

Lewis did have problems with Mercer and Bruno…it’s fair enough to bring that up. But as Seamus will tell you Liston also pretty much quit twice.

At the moment the poll is 54%-46% in Liston’s favour. I reckon BOTP has got it right….

[Seamus]

Up until the late 90's, I was as big a critic of Lennox Lewis as anyone, but in the end I realised, you just don't hold the title that long unless you're pretty damn good. It's not often mentioned, but I think one of LL's biggest faults, was that he wasn't always highly motivated. When he was though, he had a dominating jab, a devastating right hand, and could throw some wicked combinations with more power than Sonny Liston ever encountered in his life, unless of course you wish to make the argument that Cleveland Williams, Folley, and Valdes all hit as hard or harder than Lewis, and I can almost guarantee someone will

[dempseyfire]

I think Lewis was a great fighter (being in the all-time top 15 is no joke) but he did benefit from a relatively weak era. People remember the names and the hype of his fights, and he also gets credit now because by comparison the late 90s look like a Golden Age compared to now. But it was the 90s when you started seeing the slow, out of condition, plodding HW contender that has now become the norm, and Lewis took full advantage.

I'd also argue that Williams hit as hard as Lewis as well.

[Bricks]

I agree with Dempsey , the mercer,mccall, rahman bruno fights r the keys revealing Lewis's weaknesses. Any time he had a strong guy with a solid jab in his face he showed weakness, and no one can convince me liston would not hammer a guy who was knocked out by rahman and mccall.

liston would surely hammer Lewis to a clearcut points victory with lewis's uppercuts and booming shots bouncing off sonny with no effect much like they did to mercer and mccall

[Roars Like Me]

Don't shoot me but the ageing wine statement seems to be something he came up with from Evander onwards. Dare I say LL would have dealt with Mercer, Bruno et al a lot better that he did prior? Anyway this version of LL woudl still have had problems with Sonny but a decsion just about for Lennox

[dempseyfire]

To me Lewis's absolute peak was around 1995-98 when he fought Morrison, Mercer, McCall II, Briggs. Sure he dominated Tua, Grant, Botha, Rahman (rematch) in the early 2000s but those opponents were a rung below what he faced in the 90s mostly. He didn't even look impressive in his two bouts with a 37 year old Holyfield, and their rematch could've easily been a draw or a razor close Holyfield win.

People forget that Sonny was practically NEVER outboxed. Williams won a round from him by going all out, and a young Ali won some rounds by using footspeed and movement no HW has matched since, but Liston with his heavy, consistent jab, excellent head movement/ability to slip punches (very under-rated), and smart pressure was an incredibly difficult opponent.

[Roars Like Me]

To me Lewis's absolute peak was around 1995-98 when he fought Morrison, Mercer, McCall II, Briggs. Sure he dominated Tua, Grant, Botha, Rahman (rematch) in the early 2000s but those opponents were a rung below what he faced in the 90s mostly. He didn't even look impressive in his two bouts with a 37 year old Holyfield, and their rematch could've easily been a draw or a razor close Holyfield win.

People forget that Sonny was practically NEVER outboxed. Williams won a round from him by going all out, and a young Ali won some rounds by using footspeed and movement no HW has matched since, but Liston with his heavy, consistent jab, excellent head movement/ability to slip punches (very under-rated), and smart pressure was an incredibly difficult opponent.

Fair enough Dempsey, I thought I might be pushing it a little. He won the draw with Evander though, it was the 2nd one that could have gone either way for me. I feel his peak years that you've pointed out he was a little greener though.

LL must be one of the biggest Sonny would have fought bar Wepner, one advantage there. Although Lennox would not be in the class of footspeed (in fact I found him pretty flat footed) as Ali, he did have quick hands like him and that was the undoing of Sonny against Ali, yes footwork of course but Ali's hands were rapid when he was standing in front of Sonny too

[hurlock]

Thing is how good was Liston when he was younger?

[dempseyfire]

To me Lewis's absolute peak was around 1995-98 when he fought Morrison, Mercer, McCall II, Briggs. Sure he dominated Tua, Grant, Botha, Rahman (rematch) in the early 2000s but those opponents were a rung below what he faced in the 90s mostly. He didn't even look impressive in his two bouts with a 37 year old Holyfield, and their rematch could've easily been a draw or a razor close Holyfield win.

People forget that Sonny was practically NEVER outboxed. Williams won a round from him by going all out, and a young Ali won some rounds by using footspeed and movement no HW has matched since, but Liston with his heavy, consistent jab, excellent head movement/ability to slip punches (very under-rated), and smart pressure was an incredibly difficult opponent.

Fair enough Dempsey, I thought I might be pushing it a little. He won the draw with Evander though, it was the 2nd one that could have gone either way for me. I feel his peak years that you've pointed out he was a little greener though.

LL must be one of the biggest Sonny would have fought bar Wepner, one advantage there. Although Lennox would not be in the class of footspeed (in fact I found him pretty flat footed) as Ali, he did have quick hands like him and that was the undoing of Sonny against Ali, yes footwork of course but Ali's hands were rapid when he was standing in front of Sonny too

Yes but it was the footspeed combined with Ali's unique athleticism for a man his size (which made him an ATG) that enabled him to get in and avoid the return fire. Lewis had pretty quick hands for a 6'5 guy but he was not grease lightning and Sonny fought a lot of guys with faster hands (including Machen and Williams). Lewis's lack of footspeed would be the big difference, as he would be in the range of Liston's long jab and most importantly, be giving a big target for Sonny's vicious body attack.

[fourreal]

I seldom pick fighters from previous eras to bet fighters from the modern era...but in this case, Liston destroys Lewis

Liston was Mercer x 3 and Mccall x 5

[fourreal]

I seldom pick fighters from previous eras to beat fighters from the modern era...but in this case, Liston destroys Lewis

Liston was Mercer x 3 and Mccall x 5

[CiganoBoxer]

lewis would keep Liston on the end of the jab like a food to ceiling ball

[darren_simion]

Some of you must know that Liston was only 6 ft and 1/2 and mainly fought at 215 lbs right?
He was good then because he had size over most of his opponents. Lennox would kill him.

[pound per pound]

With Lewis, his ego was as big as a handicap as his suspect chin. Assuming Lewis respects Liston, and prepares for him, I would pick him to win on points.

[Adamj1987]

lennox outfoxes sonny over 12 but is always wary of a rahman like shot from sonny - close but not controversal

[pound per pound]

I think Lewis was a great fighter (being in the all-time top 15 is no joke) but he did benefit from a relatively weak era. People remember the names and the hype of his fights, and he also gets credit now because by comparison the late 90s look like a Golden Age compared to now. But it was the 90s when you started seeing the slow, out of condition, plodding HW contender that has now become the norm, and Lewis took full advantage.

I'd also argue that Williams hit as hard as Lewis as well.

How is the era weak with Tyson, Holyfield, Mercer, Tua, and Klitschko? Lewis has wins over all of them. In truth, the 1990's was a strong era for heavyweight boxing, and one that evolved past 200 pound champions.

[hhaehre]

Some of you must know that Liston was only 6 ft and 1/2 and mainly fought at 215 lbs right?
He was good then because he had size over most of his opponents. Lennox would kill him.

I'm not saying Lennox couldn't win but I'm 100% sure Liston would force the fight. Liston may have been 'only' 215 but I never saw him move any other way than forward. Foreman said Sonny was the only man he couldn't move and I never saw anyone push Foreman back. Lewis on the other hand was forced on the back foot by many, including 214 lbs Mavrovic.