Lennox Lewis vs. Sonny Liston?

Question

As part of a Tournament ot determine the Greatest Heavyweight of All Time. This Matchup pits Lennox Lewis (41-2-1 32KO) vs. Sonny Liston (50-4 39KO). At 15rd in their prime who wins and how. Here are some notable fights for each:

LEWIS:

Tommy Morrison: Win KO6

Shannon Briggs: Win KO5

Evander Holyfield: Draw

Evander Holyfield II: Win Unaniamous Decesion

Mike Tyson: Win KO8

LISTON:

Floyd Patterson: Win KO1

Floyd Patterson II: Win KO1

Cassius Clay(later Ali): Loss KO7

Muhammad Ali: Loss KO1

Answer 1

Sonny Liston would knockout Lennox Lewis and the reason being Lewis is not easily scared in the ring but Liston would scare the **** out of Lewis.

He would be to scared to fling his right hand in case it left him open.

He would have to jab and move but he was jabbing with someone who had one of the best jabs in boxing history.

plus Lewis had a weaker chin than Liston.

Answer 2

this one is a pick 'em.

on one hand, you have lewis who was rocked by frank bruno, and kayo'd twice, showing he didn't have a good chin.

then you have a past-his-best lewis who overcame vitali klitschko, proving his resilience.

lewis would try to take command early, keeping liston at bay with his jab and right hand over the top.

liston's powerful jab hits it's target as well, as he tries to get inside.....lewis will trade inside in small bursts, then get out to utilise his reach while liston hunts him down.

by round 8, lewis is ahead in the scoring, and liston goes after him, steping up the pace a notch or two, & catching lewis on the ropes, they exchange punches with both getting rocked.

lewis assumes command in the 9th, with liston rallies in the 10th,

the action slows over the next few rounds while lewis piles up the points, but a tiring liston comes on strong late in the fight............but it's too late, lewis by decision.

Answer 3

great question this one, really tough, with same modern training facilities ill go for liston late round stoppage, but early rounds would be very dangerous for him, but the way lewis tired in fights and his arms dropped i see liston catching him and lewis being to fatigued to survive

Answer 4

This is NOT a pick'em. . . this is not a head-scratcher. . . but it is a good question.  Hands down, without as much as a trickle of sweat on my brow. . . .

LENNOX LEWIS by knockout within 6 rounds.  Lewis's heavy hands, superior size, reach, and range would absolutely blow Liston out of the water!  Liston also has a strong jab, but he'd never get close enough to Lewis to land it.

Answer 5

Hmmm, not that I really liked each of their styles, I'll go with Lewis. No real reason why

Answer 6

Lennox Lewis because hes quicker.

Answer 7

lewis, liston was more hype than reality. he has only won 2 championship fights(both a very afraid patterson). so he never got a chance to dominate the sport like lennox. as you show listons notable fights he is 2-2

Answer 8

This is a good mix up and not very easy to call.  Off the top I'll say either Lewis early or Liston 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 didnt ''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 doesnt ''play nice''.  Ali didnt play nice.  So Liston did what bullies usually do.  Cheat.  When that didnt work he became discouraged.  Ask Tyson about that.  Holyfield didnt 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 persues cautiously.  If he's wreckless 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