I honestly think that this is a 50/50 fight. Maybe slightly favoring Liston, but only just. Vitali is a handful for ANYBODY in history, even if he doesn't have the natural tools to out-and-out beat everyone. His ability to use his size advantages to their maximum potential is huge, he's a solid puncher, he can throw everything. Not terribly fast, but neither is Liston, and I think his defense is pretty good too.
Liston is a tremendous offensive force, but he's not terribly hard to hit, especially if he has to come inside on the bigger man. I realize that he has a longer reach, but anyone who tries to tell me that he's bigger than Vitali is just wrong. I think he'd want to charge inside and rumble more than engage in a jabbing contest. Both guys would take punishment, both guys would be hurt (Liston could do it with one shot, but all those punches from Vitali add up and I can see Liston looking like a pizza at the end of the fight) and it probably wouldn't go to decision. As for who wins the fight, the only answer I can give is the fans. The only real answer I can give is I'm not sure. Very close.
Liston is a tremendous offensive force, but he's not terribly hard to hit, especially if he has to come inside on the bigger man. I realize that he has a longer reach, but anyone who tries to tell me that he's bigger than Vitali is just wrong. I think he'd want to charge inside and rumble more than engage in a jabbing contest. Both guys would take punishment, both guys would be hurt (Liston could do it with one shot, but all those punches from Vitali add up and I can see Liston looking like a pizza at the end of the fight) and it probably wouldn't go to decision. As for who wins the fight, the only answer I can give is the fans. The only real answer I can give is I'm not sure. Very close.
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