Prime Sonny Liston vs Prime Rid**** Bowe

[uncle ben]

The Bowe of Holyfield/Bowe 1 vs the Liston who smashed Williams into the canvas. Who takes this?

[slicksouthpaw16]

I think it would be a great, competitive fight, till Bowe's leaky defense catches up to him and Liston stops him somewhere in the upper middle rounds.

[cfang]

I find liston very hard to rate. He was a lot bigger than his contemporaries and his record is basically wins over paterson, machen, folley and williams. All top fighters of their day but here we're asking him to go in with a 6 foot 5 giant who only only lost one fight to one of the greatest heavys ever, and he proved to be better in the other two fights. Im favouring bowe.

[slicksouthpaw16]

I find liston very hard to rate. He was a lot bigger than his contemporaries and his record is basically wins over paterson, machen, folley and williams. All top fighters of their day but here we're asking him to go in with a 6 foot 5 giant who only only lost one fight to one of the greatest heavys ever, and he proved to be better in the other two fights. Im favouring bowe.

One could argue that Ali (Heavyweight GOAT) was the only one to beat a prime Liston. Also, I just can't ignore the Golota fights. I don't think Bowe was prime, but I do think he was still formidable and dangerous. Seems like he struggled with Golota's range and power. Its true that Liston was one of the hardest punchers of all time, but had one of the best, snappiest jabs too and could touch you with it from across the ring because of his reach.

Like Liston, I believe Bowe's resume is filled with very good smaller men as well (and a prime great one in Evander) and fringe contenders. I believe their records are similar in many ways.

[them_apples]

I find liston very hard to rate. He was a lot bigger than his contemporaries and his record is basically wins over paterson, machen, folley and williams. All top fighters of their day but here we're asking him to go in with a 6 foot 5 giant who only only lost one fight to one of the greatest heavys ever, and he proved to be better in the other two fights. Im favouring bowe.

Liston wasnt a lot bigger than his contemporaries. 6 ft 1 and 215 is **** on normal for a heavyweight. he was just stronger, with good boxing skills.

I don't think Liston stops Bowe easy but I see him winning a decision.

[billeau2]

I find liston very hard to rate. He was a lot bigger than his contemporaries and his record is basically wins over paterson, machen, folley and williams. All top fighters of their day but here we're asking him to go in with a 6 foot 5 giant who only only lost one fight to one of the greatest heavys ever, and he proved to be better in the other two fights. Im favouring bowe.

Perhaps a bit more circumspection is in order? If you look at tape, fighters at Liston's time showed a lot of skills and a rising tide catches all boats. So like most heavyweights historically, the ATG level of competitors was not there, but the base level was a quality opponent compared to Bowe's time. And Liston wasn't so much bigger, as had tremendous reach, and he knew how to use it.

Bowe had talent, its hard to envisioning him succeeding against one of the most technically sound, disciplined fighters ever in the division. But I can see Bowe having a chance.

[REDEEMER]

I find liston very hard to rate. He was a lot bigger than his contemporaries and his record is basically wins over paterson, machen, folley and williams. All top fighters of their day but here we're asking him to go in with a 6 foot 5 giant who only only lost one fight to one of the greatest heavys ever, and he proved to be better in the other two fights. Im favouring bowe.

Bowe had 25 pounds and a 3 inch height advantage over Williams. It’s said Liston got frustrated when big guys stood up to him in training . Bowe is the certain favorite in this one in the match the OP is asking for not the one posters are once again trying to use on here .Ha

[The Old LefHook]

Liston is near the perfect size for a heavyweight. His seventeen inch fists will prevail. The truthful dimensions of his mitts would have scared opponents off, I've heard tell, so they lied and said fourteen.

[Dynamite76]

Bowe in a nailbiter in 12, Liston by 14th round stoppage in a 15 rounder.

[Ascended]

Liston wasnt a lot bigger than his contemporaries. 6 ft 1 and 215 is **** on normal for a heavyweight. he was just stronger, with good boxing skills.

I don't think Liston stops Bowe easy but I see him winning a decision.

I think your crazy son was easy to read and basic would be destroyed