Sonny Liston vs. the, "Big Four"

...of the 90's --- Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe and Lewis.

Tyson's prime was almost all in the 80's, but lets presume all four are at their best.

The one which intrigues me the most is Liston-Holyfield. I have heard a lot of people over the years absolutely SURE that one guy or the other should be a prohibitive favourite, yet Ive always struggled to envision this match myself.

 

All four beat him easily.

 

Holyfield would look the worst out of the 4 doing it by far.

 

You dont rate Liston highly, then?

 

Why would I rate him highly ? Because he blew out chinless Patterson twice or because he quit versus Ali twice ?

 

What do you know of the rest of his career?

 

Everything.

 

Then I have a hard time seeing the basis of your disdain.

 

You should watch more Liston tape then. You will understand then.

 

BOSS sees an easy night for all four, then. How about the rest of you?

 

Loses to all 4.

 

The two guys Id be confident of him beating would be Tyson and Bowe. Both would be intimidated IMO, and both have an uphill battle physically too (Tyson has style and range issues, while Bowe is just too damn hittable and vulnerable to being outjabbed).

Lewis and Holyfield, I have more faith in to be unrattled by the Liston persona, and they're both awkward matches to envision, IMO.

 

Liston steamrolled guys that usually weighed in at 180-205 lbs. It is difficult to tell how his style and power would affect these big guys. My hunch is that not well

 

Since Liston never fought anybody anywhere near Lewis & Bowe's size never mind of that quality I'll hold back on speculating on those.

If I was writing the book for him vs Holy & Tyson I think I'd have the odds very close. Great fights.

 

Liston-Holyfield would be the best fight of the bunch. Evander by decision methinks.

Liston knocks out Bowe but is knocked out by Lewis and Tyson.

 

Liston has no chance against Bowe, Tyson, and Lewis.. I'd make Liston-Holy even money

 

Liston also steamrolled a load of fine fighters and fought almost no cans coming up.

Bowe, for one, made his entire career against a MISERABLE crop, sans precious few exceptions.

Give me a Zora Foley or Eddie Machen over Pierre Coetzer or Jorge Luis Gonzalez as quality wins go ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.

 

I think he beats Holyfield, frankly... Tyson is an either/or, to me. Two incredibly talented bullies. I love Liston's jab against Tyson, but I also like Tyson's quickness and head movement... power is a wash, they both hit like trains

Bowe and Lennox are tougher to call because of what Hut said, the size is a factor. There weren't good fighters that size in Liston's day.