Larry Holmes .Vs. Joe Louis

How?

 

I wonder if Holmes' propensity to fire back when hurt wouldn't be his final undoing. Larry lacked nothing for balls and courage, but he isn't winning a firefight with Louis.

If Louis tags him and wobbles him, maybe Larry's immediate and intinctive reaction to fire back could prove his undoing by giving Joe the openings he needs to finish him.

 

I'd wager all my money if you put Holmes' best opposition against Louis', the former would come out on top. Perhaps Louis' opposition seemed of better quality for whatever reason but Holmes' oppositon were larger, stronger, more durable and more dangerous.

I honestly don't find Sharkey or Carnera at all impressive, Carnera get's downplayed because people think he's an oaf given his size but he's quite adept but nothing special. Not particularly, fast, stronger, durable, hard hitting, skilled nothing but a big heart that usually led to him getting hurt more than need be. The only good victory on Sharkey's list is Carnera and Schmeling with the Schmeling victory being very controversial.

I'm a big fan of Maxie Baer but the only thing impressive with him is his physical aspects size, reach, chin, punch, stamina. When he was turned on and focused he could be devastating, which wasnt him on the night he fought Louis, he quit. As for the other Max he was very skilled, but had a shaky chin and was a slow starter I don't see Holmes being KO'd by him do you?

 

There's a difference between somebody like Cooney compared to Abe Simon. Tho Simon was no oaf he was no where near as skilled as say Cooney, video evidence will back this up.

You describe the argument as being yet you yourself are doing it by saying those 3 are better than anybody. In any case even if one beat better opposition than the other will not determine who will win if they fought but all I can say is Larry's record suggests he'd do better against a plodding boxer-puncher than Louis against a fast, very capable heavy, with good power and good movement.

 

I see Joe getting inside the jab and unleashing his hammer of a right, we all know Larry was susceptible to a right hand and great boxer that he is would definately catch one. Now that in itself is no big deal as his chin is great but we are talking here of the greatest hw combination puncher of all time and follow up to the right would be brutal. Larry to fall mid rounds.

 

Sharkey, at his best, is very impressive: highly skilled, fast of hand and foot with a variety of punches. You are entirely and emphatically wrong in whatever observations you claim to possess.

Carnera is better than usually billed and not an easy task to take down, probably more difficult than the supposedly skilled 1 round fighter known as Cooney.

Baer was psyched out by Louis, but such was the power and reputation of the Brown Bomber. Opponents were afraid they would die in the ring, even such powerhouses as Baer.

 

I would give Louis a very slight edge here. Maybe 55%/45%, certainly no more than 60%/40%.
Larry might even drop Joe. Very close fight.

 

If you find Sharkey impressive than that is your opinion I don't though he is a great fighter, he was quite hot and cold much like Baer losing to nobodies on time and beating world class fighters other times he gave a very good showing against Schmeling but I don't think he was particularly fast, kept his hands low and was quite wild and wreckless with his punches, varied as they may be. Although a hearty and very game fighter he didn't have much in the way of chin, power or skills to impress me.

I said that Carnera is better than most give credit for but like Sharkey nothing stands out but his heart which like I said usually got him nowhere but more damaged after a fight. Cooney I believe puts his punches and combo's togethor, obviously hits considerably harder and has pretty good stamina of his own, chin wise there isn't much difference. Unlike Carnera tho Cooney had some problems with his abusive dad and insane pressure put on him which showed esp. after the Holmes fight.

Yes Baer was psyched out, and Holmes most certainly wouldn't be nor would he quit which is the topic at hand. To me none of those you mentioned give me hints that Louis could beat Holmes.

 

I do not mean to give the impression this is anything but a very close call. And though I see Louis winning it, I wouldn't bet a cent on it. It could very easily go either way. A match-up between two of the very greatest the division ever saw.

 

How is Joe going to get inside of Larry's jab when HE DOES NOT MOVE HIS HEAD?? Am I the only one that notices this about Louis??

 

You are suggesting that Larry's jab is invincible, if that was the case he would never have tasted leather, of course his jab was great by standards but he still got hit and would get hit by Joe poor head movement or not.

 

The Larry Holmes of '78 to '82 was a wee bit older than Louis of '37 to '41, but both peaked at different times in their careers............... I like Holmes........ Louis never fought a man as big, gifted and skilled as the 6' 3 1/2" tall Holmes who was also solid at 210 pounds in his prime..... Louis never fought a man with a snappy, long jab like the jab Holmes possessed, either... Okay, Louis had a better hook and right cross---in terms of power, but Holmes' cross was very capable in finishng the job on a opponent......

I say Holmes........

MR.BILL