Hey Doc!
To be honest, Sonny Liston is the perfect opponent to beat Evander Holyfield! He could outbox or brawl with Holyfield, therefore, he'll control the tempo of the fight.
This reminds me of the Lennox Lewis fights and Riddick Bowe fights combined. If Bowe could knock Holyfield down, no doubt in my mind that Sonny Liston can.
This will be a boxing match more than anything, however both men are willing to engage in a fight if neccessary. If Holyfield boxes, he'd have a way better chance of winning. However, we all know about that heart of his. He'll try to trade with Liston at times, being seriously hurt in the process.
Both men start boxing, Liston using that hard jab of his. Around the eighth round, Liston will come right at him, and that's where the brawl comes on. In the twelfth round, both men are trading punches, but Liston is taking control, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Even a chin like Holyfields would be badly hurt from power punches from Liston!
Liston by TKO in 12.
We all know what is Holyfield good at and what's he's not, it's pretty documented. With Liston we all know he has one of the best best jabs ever, what many don't know is he has a great defense especially from distance when he's not on the attack.
I'm picking Liston in a 15 round decision cause Holyfield wont have an answer to Liston's jab. However Liston for a great jabber does fight on the inside a lot which gives Holyfield chances to do his work, I still favor Liston though
Evander Holyfield by late stoppage, his fitness, heart, speed, and skillset is better than Liston's in my opinion. I have no doubt that Holyfield would weather early pressure from Liston and break him down both mentally and physically. Holyfield by TKO rounds 10-15.
Holyfield by TKO in the 8th. Liston had more power and a longer reach but thats about it. Speed, stamina, heart and chin all go to Holyfield. Ive never seen Holyfield quit, Liston has quit and gotten KO'd badly.
Despite Holyfield's undoubted heart, I'd have to go with Liston, he was a harder puncher than both Bowe and Foreman, and they both caused problems for Holyfield. I think Liston would eventually clobber him to the canvas, maybe in round 9 or 10. That's my thought, anyway, would be a good fight regardless.
If mike tyson struggled against evander holyfield, sonny liston has no chance
Please keep this posted Doc as I will answer it later today.
Matt answered your question brilliantly and I agree with him. Holyfield was too tough for his own good and maybe too much of a warrior against the dangerous Liston. It would be a battle and Liston would know he's been in a fight, but he would prevail.
Liston TKO11
listons power and reach vs evanders strength heart and boxing skills .
