BoxRec

gilgamesh wrote: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 wrote:

gilgamesh wrote: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 wrote:

dempseyfire wrote:

gilgamesh wrote: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.

dempseyfire wrote: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 wrote:

dempseyfire wrote: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

fourreal wrote: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

dempseyfire wrote: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.

darren_simion wrote: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.