Two of the most intimidating fighters ever. You have to keep in mind that the Sonny Liston Ali fought was not quite in his prime.. Liston had incredible reach and size, especially for his era, and I think the jab gives Tyson some problems. Nevertheless, I gotta go with Tyson.
It's an ideal matchup, really. Two surly, intimidating guys who were both Bullies. Liston indeed had a pulverizing jab, absolutely remarkable. He also had a dynamite left hook and he was a lot fancier than his image suggests, he was a skillful boxer and fairly agile for such a bulky looking guy. Tyson of course had a phenomenal combination of destructive two-handed power and exceptional hand speed, he also showed some outstanding defensive acuity in his prime, he was very good at moving his head to work his way into that mid-range where he really excelled. I suspect many would take Liston based off of his jab and his utterly bizarre reach (I believe it was 82 inches, which is mind boggling on a guy who stood about 6'1 and half, figure that the reach of a typical person is usually fairly close to that person's height) probably because they see the trouble Tyson sometimes had with guys who could stick the jab and keep him at bay. I don't know if I agree with that, however. While Liston's skills were considerable and his feet more nimble than typically given credit for, his hand speed was not exceptional and I could certainly see Tyson, with his quick upper body, slipping those jabs to get in range to throw his quick combinations. Conversely, I recognize Tyson's vulnerability to an uppercut from a long-armed guy and Liston could certainly throw the uppercut well. Ultimately, I think the fight is tense and electric, the possibility of serious hurt being administered by either man keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat. Ultimately, I can see Liston stunning Tyson once or twice early and earning his respect but not quite demoralizing him (it took a steady stream of punishment for Tyson to stop believing in himself and consequently stop moving his head or throwing combos) and Tyson, also aware of Liston's similarly shaky psyche, manages to keep his focus and stick to his gameplan. Ultimately, I think Tyson gets past that jab enough and rattles off enough ferocious combinations to hurt Liston back, drop him and eventually stop him on his feet.
I've NEVER thought that Liston could handle Mike. NEVER. Too slow, and Mike had the better chin, defense, and firepower of the two. I'd even argue that Mike had more heart as well. It'd be a shootout and Tyson would win by virtue of having much faster hands, better power, and a better chin. Tyson Ko 6.
Honestly...... I don't think Liston would be a much of a lock to beat Ruddock. I just find Liston to be overrated. I think Tyson, Lewis, and Foreman would have all knocked him senseless. Holmes would have beaten the shit outta him and made him quit. Holy had too much heart, and grit for him. Liston has a chance against Frazier early, but Joe if survived the early rounds, he'd drown Sonny late. The Bowe of 92 stops Liston.
No version of Bow beats Liston. Liston lost twice to a guy who was stylistic kryptonite for him and that's about it. Bowe would eat jabs all night. Actually,I don't think Liston is overrated at all now. I think he's become a little underrated, if anything. MTF
Liston never faced a 6'5, 240 pound guy with the skill set, power, durability, and TOUGHNESS that Bowe had. 92 Bowe would have given Ali a tougher fight than Liston did. Of course, Ali would ultimately own Bowe, but Riddick would have been more competitive than Liston was.
Bowe has to be the heavy with the shortest 'prime' of all time. It basically lasted about three fights :: Bowe was also very hittable, and Liston would have had no trouble hitting Bowe as he did Ali. It's a style thing IMO. Listed was a formidable, scary guy against anyone not as ATG quick and elusive as Ali was. And Bowe could be intimidated. Ask Lennox Lewis and the trash can :: Bowe isn't out-speeding or dancing from Liston. He is going to be in front of him, coming forward, eating jabs and right hands. That's a bad place to be. MTF
Bowe's jab wasn't bad either, ya know? And Liston was a big puncher, but not in the same puncher class as Tyson, Lewis, and Foreman. THOSE 3 guys are the only ones with the firepower to take Bowe out within 5-6 rounds. I don't think Liston could take out Bowe. Riddick aint Floyd Patterson, or Cleveland Williams. And down the stretch, I trust Bowe's toughness and stamina a lot more than I trust Liston's.
Xplosive is severely underrating Liston. He had an incredible jab, could crack with both hands, and had good technique - certainly better than anyone in the heavyweight division today. Also, the Cleveland Williams Liston fought was a dangerous fighter at the time. Liston destroyed him.
That's because there's a bunch of bums in the division today, and its ruled over by two faggot sisters.
Maybe...but you are looking at Bowe in his very short prime and Liston at a supposed 32 years old but may have been in his mid-to-late 30's.
