.
If Emmanuel Steward were ever able to somehow instill Thomas Hearns' killer instinct into Wladimir, he could probably line up all of history's champions and knock them out one by one (except ALI probably wouldn't cooperate. He moves around too much for Wladimir).
.
Still, Wladimir has the tools to be the perfect heavyweight. What he lacks is the desire or will to finish a hurt opponent or take chances to create openings. As long as a fighter keeps doing the same thing, Wladimir will figure him out and beat him every time. This is why he should beat Sonny Liston.
.
The big question here is which Wladimir will show up. I think it's inaccurate to compare the Wladimir who was poll axed by Lamon Brewster and Corey Sanders. That version was young, inexperienced and had no defense.
.
However, sometimes we see the Machine of Destruction that Wladimir could be. Other times we see the passive giant who fights like he doesn't want to hurt anyone. Wladimir is always in supreme shape so his reluctance has nothing to do with conditioning. No one works out harder.
.
Sonny Liston is a classic bully. If Wladimir shows no fear of him, it would only be a matter of time before Wladimir realizes that Liston is the one showing more concern. He will fold as soon as Wladimir stands up to him.
.
This is simple. If the more aggressive Wladimir shows up, it's only a matter of time before he pummels Liston along the ropes, after slowing dissecting him, allowing the referee to stop it with Liston still on his feet.
Klitschko by TKO in 11.
.
If the "Hug-myster" we've seen in recent fights, shows up it's only a matter of time before Liston breaks free of one of Wladimir's many clinches and connects on his jaw.
Liston by KO in 6.
Easy victory for a prime Wlad. Of course the romantic delusional fans of the past will use as an example the non-prime version of Klitschko that usually gassed out and didn't know how to use his natural gifts to make a desperate point here but truth is that the size difference btween the two men is immense. Plus Wladimir is the way better and more gifted boxer. He would literally destroy the 6'0 tall 205lbs Liston in the same fashion he beat the likes of Alex Leapai and Jean-Marc Mormeck if not even easier.
Liston is one of the only fighters before Klitschko's time, having the power to knock him out. Wlad however hits harder than Cleveland Williams, who broke Liston's jaw in two rounds. So we can imagine what Wlad would've done to him. The reason why Liston could beat Williams in two and three rounds was, because Williams had almost no defense at all and no head movement at all. This means that almost every punch of Liston found the way up to Williams face. It was like Cleveland standing in front of Liston with his hands down, taking every shot from Liston. That wouldn't work with Wlad Klitschko, who was not only taller and bigger than Cleveland(with a longer reach), Wlad is also a master of protecting his head with his jabbing and lay back style. Liston wouldn't be able to land that shots he could land on Cleveland, but Wlad would hit him even harder than Williams did(who broke Liston's jaw).
Klitschko by 6th round KO
Wladimir would toy with Liston like he toys with men his size. Liston wouldn't be able to win a single round. Klitschko by TKO in 8
Klitschko by Technical Knockout in less than 7. Liston got KO'd by a jab from Ali who wasn't near the puncher Wladimir is.
I think if Wladimir Klitschko fights someone that can go toe to toe with him in the jabbing department ,he would wilt mentally ,Wladimir Klitschko has relied heavily on his long jab for years.
Sonny Liston ,just like Klitschko ,can KO his opponent with a jab ,the difference maker will be mental toughness and who has the better chin which i favor Liston in those departments.
Sonny Liston by 6th round KO.
I can see Wlad getting a decision. His jab and sheer size would make it difficult for Liston to get in on him. Klitschko definitely wins the battle of the jabs. But then again, that chin....
I can never confidently predict Wladimir Klitschko fights. That bad chin is just too much of a liability. I say Wlad wins but I would NEVER bet on it.
The Liston that fought and lost to Muhammad Ali twice was already a Liston at the tail-end of his prime so it is as errenous to use those fights as gauge of how he fares against prime Klitschko.
Prime Liston was the one who ravaged Cleveland Willaims and Floyd Patterson twice with plenty in his tank to still fight another bout against another rated heavyweight contender all in one night. His strength and staying power at that point was comparable if not better than George Foreman who fought and beat five successive opponents in just one night.
Fifteen rounds? Wladdy could hardly finished twelve rounders with still steady footing!
Klitschko has the size advantage but it would be not much of use if one is fighting more for self-preservation than the destruction of the opponent, no matter how overmatched he is. That won't simply do against a certified goon and killer as Liston who inspired Patterson's coach Cus D' Amato to tell his ward Mike Tyson years later that everytime he threw a punch, it had to be with mean intentions
Liston could box very well and he had a longer than average reach for his size. The reason his his failure against Ali was Ali's speed, quickness, mobility and high ring IQ.
Wladdy had Lamont Brewster stumbling and on the verge of knockout in their fight employing his size and jabs with all his might but in the end, it was he who grew fatigued and disheartened, resulting to one of the most impressive comeback KO wins ever registered in modern heavyweight history.
Wladdy would lead comfortably but by the end of ten rounds, he would be hanging for his dear life against the always superbly conditioned prime hungry Liston of the late 50s, very early 60s..Liston by KO by the 12th round.
Liston would be successful in backing up Wlad and with equal or more jabbing reach and power would TKO stop Wlad by 4.
Liston would connect early. Whlad would go down like a tranquilized Giraffe.
Liston would destroy Klitchko in the first round.
