Sonny Liston vs Oleksandr Usyk

[DrDuke]

12 rounds.

Could the Big Bear handle the White Ali?

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Fight takes place in America. Usyk toughes out an 8-4 (or 116-112) win on most unofficial scorecards at ringside, but loses a controversial split decision on two official judge's cards.

Suspicions about Liston' criminal ties impacting the decision are starting to fly around...

[scorpio83]

Usyk would still get robbed if the fight was under 15 rounds in Muhammad Ali's era like Sonny Liston. Imo, Liston may stick his punishing left jabs and left hooks to either take a decision or stopping him late.

[DrDuke]

Fight takes place in America. Usyk toughes out an 8-4 (or 116-112) win on most unofficial scorecards at ringside, but loses a controversial split decision on two official judge's cards.

Suspicions about Liston' criminal ties impacting the decision are starting to fly around...

And what if they told Liston to lose, like the conspiracy about his death suggested?

[Seamus]

Usyk would cautiously jab and probe for openings landing more and more each round until he kayos Liston around the 10th.

[EdwardRevolver1993]

Fight takes place in America. Usyk toughes out an 8-4 (or 116-112) win on most unofficial scorecards at ringside, but loses a controversial split decision on two official judge's cards.

Suspicions about Liston' criminal ties impacting the decision are starting to fly around...

And what if they told Liston to lose, like the conspiracy about his death suggested?

Hmm

[keithmoonhangover]

Peak Liston is a lot more of a threat to Usyk than Fury and AJ. Unless he's on his toes all night, he's getting hit and hurt.

Over 15 rounds, definitely Liston. Over 12, Usyk definitely has a chance, but I still favour Sonny.

[Cojimar 1946]

Liston doesn't appear to have anyone remotely close to Usyks level on his resume and many of his opponents are the size of light heavyweights

Realistically Usyk is proven against better opponents and likely bigger punchers. Usyk by kayo

[The Great John L]

Liston doesn't appear to have anyone remotely close to Usyks level on his resume...

Okay, that's one opinion.

[gilgamesh]

I'd favor Usyk by UD in a very interesting fight.

[DrDuke]

Usyk's advantages:
- handspeed
- footwork
- reflexes
- chin

Liston's advantages:
- power
- fast start

[Tony1244]

Usyk decision or late round stoppage.

[The Great John L]

Liston stops him in the 5th with a savage body shot.

Usyk takes a close decision in the rematch and then retires.

[Cojimar 1946]

Liston doesn't appear to have anyone remotely close to Usyks level on his resume...

Okay, that's one opinion.

His best opponents are the size of todays light heavyweights. That raises questions about the value of his best wins

Patterson is a light heavyweight by todays standards and he is by far Listons best win

[The Great John L]

His best opponents are the size of todays light heavyweights. That raises questions about the value of his best wins

Patterson is a light heavyweight by todays standards and he is by far Listons best win

Perhaps you're not familiar with many of his other opponents?

We'll probably just have to agree to disagree.

[Cojimar 1946]

His best opponents are the size of todays light heavyweights. That raises questions about the value of his best wins

Patterson is a light heavyweight by todays standards and he is by far Listons best win

Perhaps you're not familiar with many of his other opponents?

We'll probably just have to agree to disagree.

His opponents were generally under 200 pounds so about the size of light heavyweights like Bivol, Kovalev etc. I don't think they would be fighting at heavyweight today and some would be light heavyweights.

Certainty Usyks opponents would be favored over Listons opponents