Sonny Liston vs. George Foreman

[Controversial]

Who would win the battle of these two bad dudes?

[evrenb]

Who would win the battle of these two bad dudes?

Phew! This would be brutal...I'm not sure I could pick a winner ; In their primes they were similar weight around 215lb to 220lb. Power has to be about even...hand speed about even though George was quicker with the right cross and Liston quicker with the left hook...Jabs maybe a slight edge with Liston. Chins in their prime even. George had about 2 inches in height. Liston had around 2 inches per arm on George. Maybe stamina would decide and I would have to edge with Liston....not to say that he had more stamina than George just that George had a higher output.
So if Liston survived the early going then he may stop George late...what a match....

I know they sparred and I know footage exists of it..George himself once said that he really whacked Liston in sparring and Sonny just stared at him and said... ' No Son'

evrenb

[dempseyfire]

Liston.

Foreman had more natural strength (which is saying something as Liston was a freak) but Liston was more coordinated, more skilled, and had superior stamina.

[Ambling Alp II]

I'm going to go with Foreman. He had more heart, which might be the difference.

[p4p1]

It would be a fight that I wouldn't want travel far to see because it could be over within the first round with either guy being the winner. But you bet your ass I would be glued to the TV with a cold drink sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what the hell is going to happen next.

[Ezzard]

I think they both sort of quit against Ali, in their own ways...

Both were in tough fights and came through them.

Liston just had more skill.

[Ambling Alp II]

Foreman showed a lot of guts when all looked lost in the Lyle fight. Liston gave up the heavyweight title because he was losing.
Not sure if I buy the argument that Liston had more skill. They were in many ways similar fighters. Liston did have some awesome performances where he just crushed the other guy, but Foreman had even more.

Foreman didn't quit at all against Ali. No way. He gave it his best.

[Controversial]

Can you imagine the stare down?

Frightening to think their combined records when Ali beat them both was 75-1 (62 ko's) !!!

[Goldust]

I'm inclined to give the edge in power to Foreman. If anything Liston's power was bit overrated but his boxing ability was underrated.

Unfortunately when people think of Liston they tend to remember the slow as molasses 1960's version who was past his best. The 1950's version had a bit quicker hands than Foreman and when you watch the films you can see that someone actually took the time to teach him how to box. He moved his head better than George, punched better in combination and was able to parry and block punches as well, things that you rarely saw from Foreman.

Neither was exactly speedy on their feet but Liston showed better balance than Foreman who at times looked off balance and ponderous.

Both had excellent jabs but Sonny used his more consistently. Foreman's jab was more effective against shorter guys who came to him. Against guys closer to his height he often neglected to use it as often or as well. However in this matchup he would be facing a shorter guy who wasn't exactly mobile so I could see him getting his jab off vs. Liston.

Neither had great stamina but I would give the edge to Liston. Sonny might get tired but I don't recall seeing him hitting the wall and basically out on his feet from exhaustion as we saw from Foreman in several of his fights.

When it comes down to it Foreman was a little bigger, and was possibly the slightly harder hitter. Liston was a bit more technically sound and possessed better balance. Neither guy could fight effectively backing up and never faced anyone who really could back them up.

I could see this one quickly turning into a Forman/Lyle type slugfest with neither guy really being able to get out of the way nor being willing to give any ground. I wouldn't be surprised to see both guys on the canvas at some point with with Liston being the last man standing.

[HomicideHenry]

Liston.

[Syntax Error]

Liston had a better skillset than Foreman had.

I'd give Foreman the advantage in power, but I think Liston is equal or better in every other department.

Foreman's only chance to win is to KO Liston early & I can't ever imagine that, as Liston was as tough as hell.

I'd go for Liston by late TKO as I don't think Foreman had the stamina to last 15 rounds in a hard fight with a tough opponent.

[Vladimir5555]

Foreman KO in early rounds.

[Seamus]

X2

Sparring stories are like fishing tales.

[raylawpc]

Prime

Sonny Liston ----- {May 1958 ---------------- November 1960}
True Age ----------{31 years, 0 months ----- 33 years, 6 months}
Size---------------- Height; 6' 0 1/2" ------ Weight; 211 lbs. ----- Reach 82"

* > A lighter and younger Charles 'Sonny' Liston.
* > The most confident 'Sonny Boy' and the 'hungriest'.
* > At this time during his career, he was the best conditioned fighter ever seen.
* > Still 'slow' with his punches, but oh so powerful.

Liston was 27 or 28 in 1958, not 31. Source: 1940 US Census.

[Ezzard]

Liston had a better skillset than Foreman had.

I'd give Foreman the advantage in power, but I think Liston is equal or better in every other department.

Foreman's only chance to win is to KO Liston early & I can't ever imagine that, as Liston was as tough as hell.

I'd go for Liston by late TKO as I don't think Foreman had the stamina to last 15 rounds in a hard fight with a tough opponent.

Agree

[SenorPipino]

Foreman.
Both were bully types but Foreman was a bully with heart. Liston was a dish it out guy who wasn't fond of taking it.
After tasting a dose of Foreman's power in the early rounds, Sonny would be looking for an exit around the 6th.

[NYDominican]

A prime George Foreman against a prime Sonny Liston?



What advantages (if any) would George have over Sonny?



What advantages (if any) would Sonny have over George?



What do you see happening in this fight?



Who would win?



Why?