Mike Tyson's former trainer Teddy Atlas believes Sonny Liston would have knocked out 'Iron Mike' in his prime. Atlas shared this opinion on his YouTube channel, comparing the strengths of both legendary heavyweight boxers.
Tyson burst onto the boxing scene as a young knockout artist. He won his first 19 fights by KO, with 12 of those coming in the opening round. At just 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old, Tyson became the youngest world heavyweight champion when he claimed the WBC title. He went on to become undisputed in the division.
Despite Tyson's impressive record, Atlas thinks Liston would have had the edge. Speaking on his The Fight With Teddy Atlas YouTube Channel, the veteran trainer explained why.
"Tyson would be at the end of that jab like a coyote at the end of a locomotive, flat, pulverised, bang. That jab would have hit him and sent a physical and mental message. You're in the wrong place, at the wrong time, get the hell out."
Atlas pointed out that Liston could match Tyson's power and technique, and was bigger. But Liston's jab was the key factor in Atlas' prediction. He believes it would have been too much for Tyson to handle, leading to a knockout loss.
Liston's own career was impressive. He became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round. Though he lost the crown to Muhammad Ali after 18 months, Liston finished with a career record of 50 wins, 4 losses, and 39 knockouts.
While this matchup will always remain hypothetical, Atlas' perspective offers an interesting take on how two of boxing's most fearsome heavyweights might have matched up in their primes.
