This is one of the fights that I know a lot of people on the forum are going to disagree with me on. Both men are unbelievably hard punchers, but I see Max Baer having the edge with his chin. Here is a round by round analysis of how I think the fight would go.

Fight is scheduled for 15 rounds

ROUND ONE
-----------------
Both fighters come out of the corner in their defensive stance, and Liston starts hitting Baer in the mouth with a solid thundering jab to the nose. Baer goes in for a sweeping blow, and Liston puts his arms up in defense. Liston throws two more thunderous jabs, Baer goes for a sweeping left, where Sonny Liston counter punches with a flurry of rights and lefts, and Max Baer sees an opening and he gets Liston into the corner, hitting Liston with mind numbing punches and the bell rings.

Liston landed 24 of 37 punches
Baer landed 5 of 42 punches
Liston won the round 10-9
Liston is winning the fight 10-9

ROUND TWO
---------------------------
Liston comes out just like the last round hitting Baer with thundering jabs, and Baer comes in with a swooping left, pinning Liston against the ropes, and Baer starts to slug away, throwing 8 hard punches, but Liston punches himself out. Liston spends the rest of the round throwing his effective jab.

Liston landed 35 of 47 punches
Baer landed 15 of 51 punches
Liston won the round 10-9
Liston is winning the fight 20-18

ROUND THREE
------------------------------
Baer is bloody as he goes after Liston, and Liston goes for the knockout, throwing combination after combination, but Baer throws back with all of his will and POW! Liston crumbles to the canvas. 1...2...3...4...5..6 and Liston rises to keep fighting. Liston keeps going for the knockout and Baer is dropped by a straight right hand from Liston. 1...2...3...4... Baer is being smart and resting on one knee...5...6..7...8 and Baer rises. Liston fights with the same motive of the knockout, both trading punches and Liston goes down again. 1...2...3... and the bell rings, saving Liston from a possible knockout.

Liston landed 62 of 77 punches
Baer landed 57 of 83 punches
Baer won the round 8-9 by knockdowns
Liston is winning the fight 28-27

ROUND FOUR
-----------------------
Liston goes out in a defensive stance, and Max Baer goes out throwing punch after punch. Baer is pounding ruthlessly on the arms of Sonny Liston, and while trying to get away, Sonny Liston is dropped for a count of 7 second. Sonny Liston throws his thunderous left jab trying to keep Baer his distance, but Baer crashes down with a spine shattering punch, knocking Liston out for the count.

Max Baer has won the fight by KO in round 4.

The reason that I chose Baer for the victor is because he has a superior punch and chin. My rankings place Baer at #27 and Liston at #30. The next upcoming prediction of history fight should be expected to be Ezzard Charles vs. Jess Willard. Till next time, I am BoxingManiac, representing boxingforum.com.