Sonny Liston Vs Iron Mike Tyson?

Question

Both two of the hardest hitters of their times, both very intimidating and feared during their primes and both considered as 'thugs' from time to time.

So who do you think would have won ?

Answer 1

Tyson, in his prime was much more aggressive than Liston. I think Tyson would have really surprised Liston early and KO'd him within the first 5 rounds. Tyson was much quicker in the ring as well.

Answer 2

Liston - W 50 (KO's 39) TF 54 - W pct 93% - KO pct 72% - wins over Patterson, "Big Cat" Williams, Folley - KO'ed by Ali{2} and L. Martin (average fighter) - #15 ranked puncher - # 71 ranked fighter

Tyson - W 50 ( KO's 43) TF 58 - W pct 86% - KO pct 74% - wins over Berbick, Holmes, Spinks, P. Thomas, T. Biggs, J. Smith, Ruddock, C. Williams and Bruno - KO'ed by Holyfield[2], Lewis and Douglas{2} - #16 ranked puncher - #72 ranked fighter
Tyson did not have Frazier's will or heart

Both were good fighters and great KO artists. This would be a vicious bout. Would Liston quit if he was losing or would Tyson commit a foul if he was losing? If Tyson came forward he would run right into those cannon shots that Liston was delivering. Liston by a KO in rd 10.

Answer 3

Mike Tyson was very strong and quick especially against overmatched compettion but failed when he went against fighters who had boxing skills and fought back hard like Holyfield, Douglas and Lewis. He intimidated a scared Michael Spinks but would not be able to do this against the mean and tough Liston. Liston also had a good jab and great reach advantage that he would use against Tyson. Liston also would be the aggressor and land bruising hard punches on Iron Mike and knock him out in 10 rounds.

Answer 4

Tyson depended on intimidating his opponents. Liston would not be intimidated by Tyson. Liston would use his height and reach advantage against Tyson. Liston wins a hard fought split decision by landing the more telling blows as Tyson tires in the later rounds of a bruising 15 round fight.

Answer 5

I think Tyson would win. To much hand speed for Liston and Mike would beat him to the punch. And with two power hitters like that, the one that lands first and often would win. Liston had a good jab, but with Mike's head movement i could see him bobbing and weaving his way inside and exploding punches on the much slower Liston. Mike by KO in 5.

Answer 6

In my opinion, Mike Tyson in his prime was as dominating as anybody in boxing history. So I would take Mike Tyson hands down. Nobody in boxing has ever had the combination of power, speed, and technique that Tyson had. Liston was a great fighter, and it would be an unbelievable fight, I just see Tyson as the more dominant fighter.

Answer 7

Tyson, remember that the heavyweights of that era were light compared to those that Iron Mike fought. Even though Mike was light himself, in his prime, he would punch the lights out of Liston.

Answer 8

in his prime, tyson would've defeated vitually anyone...the only exceptions possbly being ali and johnson! liston had a pawing yet powerful jab and he would've rung mike's bell and got his attn, but mike would be too fast and throw too many punches that would eventually overwhelm liston. remember, in his prime, mike had a great defence and punched in combinations. remember also that ali wobbled liston in the first fight(before the knockout), right after his eyes cleared from the substance liston had rubbed in them. methinks that was the key moment liston knew he couldn't beat ali. in the second fight, he caught liston coming in, w/a perfectly timed punch that maybe wasn't hard enough to knock him out, but was definitely hard enough to knock him down. check out the shock wave effect of the punch on liston's head on the videotape. well, just imagine what mike woulda done to him. i pick mike in 3-5 rounds, clean knockout!

Answer 9

Tyson

Answer 10

Tyson