Who would win this one? Sonny is one of my favourite fighters of the bygone heavyweight division there's no doubt he should have been world champion 2-3 years before he got his chance and his most notable fights were wins over Williams foley and Paterson with many more quality wins on his record but I would have to pick Lennox to win his wins over Holyfield Tyson and vatilai are prob his 3 greatest and with his height advantage and amature background I think he takes this win over sonny by a close UD if he can keep his chin away from sonnets bombs that is!!
Lennox Lewis v sonny Liston
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It'd be a real tough fight for both men.
Liston at 6'1, 215lbs, 84" reach vs Lewis at 6'5, 245lbs, 84" reach.
Liston's jab, similar to what Mercer did, would provide a way for him to steer Lewis to where he wanted him for his own attack. Lewis would be looking to outbox Liston and wouldn't want to risk brawling too much with Liston due to Liston's power and good chin.
What would be interesting is to see how well Sonny does at cutting the ring off and would ultimately be the determining factor of who wins the fight. I see it going the distance, but who manages distance the best wins the fight. If Lewis can keep Sonny at the end of his punches and keep Sonny off of him he'll likely win a tough decision. If Sonny can get close to Lewis and let his hands go, he could likely grind out a hard fought decision.
The key would be who establishes their jab better. If Lewis can use his jab to keep Sonny off balance and at bay, he'll most likely keep the fight on the outside and would begin to drop hard right hands behind his jabs. If Liston can push Lewis back into the ropes and into the corners with his jab, he'll have a much easier time getting close to start unloading his brutal hooks and uppercuts on Lennox.
It'd be a very interesting fight and I can see either scenario.
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Liston at 6'1, 215lbs, 84" reach vs Lewis at 6'5, 245lbs, 84" reach.
Liston's jab, similar to what Mercer did, would provide a way for him to steer Lewis to where he wanted him for his own attack. Lewis would be looking to outbox Liston and wouldn't want to risk brawling too much with Liston due to Liston's power and good chin.
What would be interesting is to see how well Sonny does at cutting the ring off and would ultimately be the determining factor of who wins the fight. I see it going the distance, but who manages distance the best wins the fight. If Lewis can keep Sonny at the end of his punches and keep Sonny off of him he'll likely win a tough decision. If Sonny can get close to Lewis and let his hands go, he could likely grind out a hard fought decision.
The key would be who establishes their jab better. If Lewis can use his jab to keep Sonny off balance and at bay, he'll most likely keep the fight on the outside and would begin to drop hard right hands behind his jabs. If Liston can push Lewis back into the ropes and into the corners with his jab, he'll have a much easier time getting close to start unloading his brutal hooks and uppercuts on Lennox.
It'd be a very interesting fight and I can see either scenario.
I dont agree with that Sonny was a gd boxer and a powerful hitter with plenty of heart he fought marty marshal with a broken jaw he didnt quit then when he fought Ali Ali was a freak of the HW division fast hands and feet with an unorthodox style the way both fights ended were controversial but liston shouldnt be remembered just for his losses he had plenty of great wins and was the one of the most fearer and underrated HWs of all time
Liston also fought on against the very powerful (and prime, unlike the one Ali fought) Cleveland Williams when his nose was broken in the first round and knocked him out.
Liston only feared crazy people, and he legitimately felt Ali was crazy. Nobody else intimidated him.
Liston only feared crazy people, and he legitimately felt Ali was crazy. Nobody else intimidated him.
Yea it's a pity people only remember him for his Ali losses and mob connections
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Liston wins KO
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Liston had a serious leg injury before the second Patterson fight and never regained his mobility but was able to keep winning because of his 84" reach and massive power until he met a prime Ali who is the greatest heavyweight ever. Liston beat 8 out of the top 10 rated heavyweights and the other two guys Cooper and Johanson refused to fight him. Medical reports proved Liston had massive tears in his arm muscles which is why Liston could not fight any longer against Ali in the first fight which also happened to Vitali Klitscko who also had to stop fighting in a title fight. Based on statements of Liston's sister and his autopsy, Liston was in his early 40's when he fought Ali which is a time all fighters are declining and at least ten years past their prime. Liston never fought in his prime as professional because his legal troubles and repeated incarcerations. The Liston of 1957 to 1960 is a hard fight for any champion of any era. Liston was a good technical fighter who could fight outside, midrange and on the inside. The 1957 to 1960 Liston beats any version of Lennix Lewis but after the leg injury that occurred before the 2nd Patterson fight Lewis would win the majority of those fights with his great jab and mobility. With that said even the 1969 version of Liston if he hits Lewis clean its lights out for Lewis
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