Peak Sonny Liston vs peak Lennox Lewis

Post Reply
Knucklez
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 387
Joined: 16 Oct 2006, 14:26

Peak Sonny Liston vs peak Lennox Lewis

Post by Knucklez »

I've been in a debate on this one on another forum and opinions are divided. What are your thoughts on this one?
Ezzard
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 11173
Joined: 12 May 2005, 09:20

Post by Ezzard »

Got to go with Liston (sorry Seamus).

I think Lewis struggles with someone who has a solid jab (see Bruno fight) and I think that although both could bang Liston is more likely to get to Lewis than the other way round.

It would be a hard fought affair though.
dempseyfire
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 5534
Joined: 29 Oct 2003, 22:56

Post by dempseyfire »

Don't mean to be rude, but hasn't this fantasy fight been done numerous times on here??
Knucklez
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 387
Joined: 16 Oct 2006, 14:26

Post by Knucklez »

dempseyfire wrote:Don't mean to be rude, but hasn't this fantasy fight been done numerous times on here??
Possible Dempsey but I'm new on here so cut me some slack. :TU:
john2345
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 471
Joined: 24 Feb 2005, 14:35

Post by john2345 »

Liston would annihilate Lewis. Liston wouldn't let Lewis push him around, and lean down on him like he did with shorter fighters. His powerful jab would keep Lewis off balance and the first decent left hook Sonny landed would send Lewis out.

J
dempseyfire
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 5534
Joined: 29 Oct 2003, 22:56

Post by dempseyfire »

Knucklez wrote:
dempseyfire wrote:Don't mean to be rude, but hasn't this fantasy fight been done numerous times on here??
Possible Dempsey but I'm new on here so cut me some slack. :TU:
No problem I'm not trying to be an ass!

Liston KO 7 Lennox

Ray Mercer was basically a C-grade version of Sonny and I along with many others feel Merciless edged Lewis in that fight.
dr_devious
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 5348
Joined: 29 Dec 2005, 09:19

Post by dr_devious »

Liston wins by KO
Knucklez
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 387
Joined: 16 Oct 2006, 14:26

Post by Knucklez »

dempseyfire wrote:
Knucklez wrote:
dempseyfire wrote:Don't mean to be rude, but hasn't this fantasy fight been done numerous times on here??
Possible Dempsey but I'm new on here so cut me some slack. :TU:
No problem I'm not trying to be an ass!

Liston KO 7 Lennox

Ray Mercer was basically a C-grade version of Sonny and I along with many others feel Merciless edged Lewis in that fight.
Cheers Demps, appreciate your input.
jezzamundo
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 3127
Joined: 16 Jun 2004, 13:11

Post by jezzamundo »

If we are talking prime for prime, I have to give Liston the edge, and Lewis did not fare well against good jabbers. With Lewis losing the battle of the jabs, he would have slug it out with Liston. Both men would be hurt, but Liston would likely get to Lewis's average chin and finish him off. If Lewis managed to hold on, Liston takes a close but clear decision. I rate Lewis higher on my all-time list due to accomplishments, but I think Liston is a bad stylistic matchup for him.
HomicideHenry
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 18722
Joined: 08 Sep 2005, 00:43

Post by HomicideHenry »

AM sorry, but Lewis never faced a monster opponent like Liston in his entire career (would say Tyson but he was way over the hill)...Liston's jab was as long as Lewis' and he could knock a man out with it, and his chin was always dependable (if you discard the second Ali fight) up until his 40's when he lost to Leotis Martin.

Liston wins this one. I see a kayo inside of 4 rounds.
Sweet P
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 3669
Joined: 23 Mar 2003, 04:18

Post by Sweet P »

I think Lewis wins by Ud in either 12 or 15, Lewis would be taking no risks and boxing his way to a UD.
Lewis fought a bad fight against Mercer but apart from there decent jabs Liston and Mercer were not at all alike.
Liston was fairly slow footed and after taking punishment for 8-9 rounds would lose all his heart. Lewis was KOd a few times but if were talking prime Vs prime Lewis takes him hands down.
Syntax Error
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 9008
Joined: 22 Apr 2005, 08:00

Post by Syntax Error »

Lennox Lewis did not like jabbers & Sonny Liston had one of the best (if not THE best) jabs in HW history.

Even the ponderous Frank Bruno managed to outjab Lewis, although to be fair to Lewis, this was when he was trained by the cheerleader that is Pepe Correa & he had not reached his prime yet.

Taking that into account, I still see a Liston victory, although with Liston's less than impressive stamina & Lewis huge strength & caution, I can also see Lewis carrying it off. :box:
elmersalsa
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 15678
Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50

Post by elmersalsa »

Liston had the tools to beat a big guy like Lewis. He had excellent boxing skills, and was underrated fast. The first fight with Ali was close and I saw how Liston was able to get some punches in there. Now, Lewis in the other hand was not as mobile as Ali, and was not even as fast. He did not had a great chin either. One left hook from Liston and the fight is over. I even think that Liston had better stamina. He will go to Lennox's body and in th inside exchanges, is where Sonny had the edge. I do not see how Lennox's jab would frustrate Liston...He is not fast.

Liston by TKO in 10. :TU: :TU: :TU:
Marlin
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 5078
Joined: 08 May 2006, 06:56

Post by Marlin »

Liston dominates and wins by knock out.
Robinson
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 4415
Joined: 24 Apr 2007, 22:34

Post by Robinson »

Peak for peak I would have to say Lewis. Both guys could
win this if the other was out of shape, sure Liston's jab and power would
be a danger to Lennox. I also think Lewis size, jab, power and boxing style would keep him out of danger.

I think this would be a some what boring 'strategic' fight with both guys exchanging lefts and following the other around the ring. Look for Liston to rush in and try to trap Lewis against the ropes. Look for Lewis to tie up Liston, and smother him in the clinch.

Kym
Post Reply