Liston Vs Foreman

[rosspot69]

Both in their prime, who you picking?

I got Sonny by mid round Ko

[Barn]

Liston UD's him.

[Wild Blue Yonda]

As a boy, Liston was the first fight figure to capture my attention, & the first boxer I supported in my formative years watching the sport. He was a very unusual character, for what little we knew of him --- & such a fighter.

This may or may not have some sentimentality attached to it, but I do fancy his chances in what would be a spectacular fireworks display against his one-time unofficial protege, in Foreman. Something like the Foreman-Lyle fight is quite possible, & while this bout is definitely contestable, Liston has my support. Why? While his advantage in each is negated by Foreman's height, his punches were straighter & more accurate than Foreman's, & no less pulverising, in truth. His skill-set was broader & more refined than Foreman's, & his jab a good sight superior. Foreman's right hand was his most formidable punch, while Liston's was the left hook. A good straight right should beat the latter to the mark, but as said, Liston was straighter & more accurate with his shots. Better technique, a better boxer.

A great angle to this fight is the fact that both men have sturdy, battle-tested jaws capable of absorbing considerable punishment, but neither quite has the chin to take a sustained volley from the other, & both were such adept finishers, it could end very quickly. In thinking of this fight, I am reminded of that great dialogue the two are supposed to have shared once, at the beginning of Foreman's career (& more-or-less the end of Liston's, with both being managed by the same man at the time)...

Liston: "God damn it, man, would you stop smacking that gum in my ear!?"

Foreman: "If you seen the way I whupped that German, you wouldn't talk to me like that."

Foreman was actually referring to the Russian he had pummeled for his Olympic Gold (in some ways, Foreman's Gold was his most remarkable achievement). Liston was said to take it in good humour, but just the thought of a confrontation like this would sell tickets by the boatload.

[JAB5239]

As a boy, Liston was the first fight figure to capture my attention, & the first boxer I supported in my formative years watching the sport. He was a very unusual character, for what little we knew of him --- & such a fighter.

This may or may not have some sentimentality attached to it, but I do fancy his chances in what would be a spectacular fireworks display against his one-time unofficial protege, in Foreman. Something like the Foreman-Lyle fight is quite possible, & while this bout is definitely contestable, Liston has my support. Why? While his advantage in each is negated by Foreman's height, his punches were straighter & more accurate than Foreman's, & no less pulverising, in truth. His skill-set was broader & more refined than Foreman's, & his jab a good sight superior. Foreman's right hand was his most formidable punch, while Liston's was the left hook. A good straight right should beat the latter to the mark, but as said, Liston was straighter & more accurate with his shots. Better technique, a better boxer.

A great angle to this fight is the fact that both men have sturdy, battle-tested jaws capable of absorbing considerable punishment, but neither quite has the chin to take a sustained volley from the other, & both were such adept finishers, it could end very quickly. In thinking of this fight, I am reminded of that great dialogue the two are supposed to have shared once, at the beginning of Foreman's career (& more-or-less the end of Liston's, with both being managed by the same man at the time)...

Liston: "God damn it, man, would you stop smacking that gum in my ear!?"

Foreman: "If you seen the way I whupped that German, you wouldn't talk to me like that."

Foreman was actually referring to the Russian he had pummeled for his Olympic Gold (in some ways, Foreman's Gold was his most remarkable achievement). Liston was said to take it in good humour, but just the thought of a confrontation like this would sell tickets by the boatload.

Nice assessment as usual WBY.

I had a quote by Liston about Foreman as a sig a few years back and it went something to the affect of "this kid doesn't just have one punch ko power, he has one punch kill you power". I think both respected one another very much.

[Wild Blue Yonda]

Doubtless. Foreman has said in numerous outings Liston's jab was a fight-changing weapon, even during sparring. Something to make you doubt your next move.

[Miburo]

First of all, prime pre-Ali Foreman gets stopped by no one. I think most people will pick Liston by decision here but honestly I think Foreman would beast him.

[Wild Blue Yonda]

First of all, prime pre-Ali Foreman gets stopped by no one. I think most people will pick Liston by decision here but honestly I think Foreman would beast him.

Foreman was in his prime when Ali stopped him.

[TBear]

My pick is Foreman. The way to beat George was to have tremendous defensive skills and let him beat himself ala Ali and Young. I seriously believe anyone that would stand in front of him and trade would not. I think the Foreman before Ali was faster, bigger and stronger than Sonny.

[Pastrano]

Black Bear Sonny anyday. He was not just a killer puncher, but could box and was smart when he wanted to. Also he moved much better, being shorter than lumbering lumberjack Foreman. His reach was even bigger tho.

[IronDanHamza]

As a boy, Liston was the first fight figure to capture my attention, & the first boxer I supported in my formative years watching the sport. He was a very unusual character, for what little we knew of him --- & such a fighter.

This may or may not have some sentimentality attached to it, but I do fancy his chances in what would be a spectacular fireworks display against his one-time unofficial protege, in Foreman. Something like the Foreman-Lyle fight is quite possible, & while this bout is definitely contestable, Liston has my support. Why? While his advantage in each is negated by Foreman's height, his punches were straighter & more accurate than Foreman's, & no less pulverising, in truth. His skill-set was broader & more refined than Foreman's, & his jab a good sight superior. Foreman's right hand was his most formidable punch, while Liston's was the left hook. A good straight right should beat the latter to the mark, but as said, Liston was straighter & more accurate with his shots. Better technique, a better boxer.

A great angle to this fight is the fact that both men have sturdy, battle-tested jaws capable of absorbing considerable punishment, but neither quite has the chin to take a sustained volley from the other, & both were such adept finishers, it could end very quickly. In thinking of this fight, I am reminded of that great dialogue the two are supposed to have shared once, at the beginning of Foreman's career (& more-or-less the end of Liston's, with both being managed by the same man at the time)...

Liston: "God damn it, man, would you stop smacking that gum in my ear!?"

Foreman: "If you seen the way I whupped that German, you wouldn't talk to me like that."

Foreman was actually referring to the Russian he had pummeled for his Olympic Gold (in some ways, Foreman's Gold was his most remarkable achievement). Liston was said to take it in good humour, but just the thought of a confrontation like this would sell tickets by the boatload.

Beautiful breakdown Wild Blue Yonda.

I like how you touched on the superior skill set. Alot of people don't realise that about Liston.

In this fight I would definitely lean on Liston. Of course though, George can't be ruled out.