Lennox Lewis vs Sonny Liston?

Question

12 rounds, at their best. Who wins?

Answer 1

linston

Answer 2

Liston would destroy Lewis

Answer 3

Lewis would outclass and knock out Liston easily inside of 6 rounds.

Answer 4

Sonny will scare him into a defensive fight then Sonny will do a Rahman on him.

Answer 5

This is a good mix up and not very easy to call. Off the top I'll say either Liston early or Lewis late. Liston was much better than the washed up confused fighter who faced Ali the first time. He was so used to being the bully, and had a difficult time dealing with the fact that Ali SHOWED no fear (although he felt it).

He didn't ''grow old'' during the fight like some have suggested. When you're used to taking guys out with bombs in a relatively short time its hard to adjust when your opponent doesn't ''play nice''. Ali didn't play nice. So Liston did what bullies usually do. Cheat. When that didn't work he became discouraged. Ask Tyson about that. Holyfield didn't play nice either.

Liston could pole ax Lewis if he catches him. Lewis' chin isnt as weak as some think. Still Liston could dent it if he caught him. Lennox has a slight edge in speed. Liston wasnt the smartest fighter.

I think it would boil down to intelligence. Lennox has the clear edge here. Knowing what Liston could do to him, Lewis would'nt dare engage him in a shoot out. He would set up his attack plan first. Neither is a speed demon so there will be no search. Both possess fine jabs but Lewis would make better use of his. After 4 rounds he would land it almost at will. Im assuming he would be in the same shape he was in for the second Rahman fight.

Against Tyson, Lewis was big and strong. Verses Rahman he was lean and quick. He would be in the same shape against Liston but fight him in much the way he fought Tyson. Lewis would use his superior size to slow Liston down and tie him up. He would carefully avoid Liston's bombs.

In round 6 a solid right hand would rock Liston. As he backs to the ropes Lewis pursues cautiously. If he's reckless he will get caught. One thing about Lennox, he rarely made the same mistake twice. He's one of the smartest fighters to hold the title and he uses his tools very well. He's not often given credit for this.

Liston fights back off the ropes but another right catches him again. He wobbles and is finished by a series of blows. The referee steps in as Liston sinks to the canvas.

Lewis by KO in 6

Answer 6

Lennox Lewis is a punk.  He only did as well as he did because there was nobody else in the division when he was around.  As soon as a credible fighter rose to challenge him, he retired rather than defend his empty title.

So, Liston.

Answer 7

I admit, Lennox was very good, even great, and this one is a close one but I can't get the sight of McCall and Rockmon KOing Lennox out of my mind, still I will try.   Lewis went 12 rounds with a heavy punching David Tua and dominated David.  He more than held his own and pole axed Donovan Ruddick, a fighter not as formidable or menacing as Liston, but with a similar style.  If the relatively light punching Ali could drop Liston, Lewis would definitely have more than a punchers chance against Liston, so I can see ACEMAN's point, thumbs up ACE but I disagree with you, I think Lennox's chin betrays him and Liston KO's Lewis within 10 rounds.  Great matchup and I know this answer is going agaisnt the majority of opinion, but if Vitali Klitschko could shake Lewis, and before the cut stopped him, he was on the cusp of beating Lennox, I don't think Lennox would get by Sonny without getting that chin shattered.

Liston by KO in 8.