A Creaky Louis Stopping A Game Freddie Beshore

Two different issues being debated .. how deteriorated was Louis, which the answer was very, vs how weak was the division which was very ..

How would the Louis of this fight be rated in the 70's ? 80's ? 90's ?

 

This has been asked before and most people accepted that this version of Louis was about the level of a Berbick in the 1980s, about the level of a Mercer in the 1990s and about the level of a Lyle in the 1970s. This version was no ATG but still a top contender.

 

Yep, apparently Mushy was gifted at sums......

 

Louis was obviously past his best but I still seeing that version beat many of the contenders today and in past decades. It is amazing how great Louis was, the Max Baer fight, Schmeling rematch. Guys like Tyson and Lewis Vlad would out the old version but some lesser champions would not.

 

Wow. Beshore wouldn't qualify as a spit bucket holder in a heavyweight bout today. Someone along the likes of Andy Ruiz would pummel him in shorter time than Louis. Joe looks absolutely horrid in this film. This version gets whacked by even a depleted Chisora...

 

I think if Walcott and Louis had fought a third time in 1950, Jersey would have likely beaten him. Sure they were both the same age and Louis DID get the better of him in their second fight, but I don't think Walcott aged as badly. Harry Mathews, Rex Layne and possibly Roland Lastarza would have been tough fights at that point too.

 

Nobody is saying Beshore is great. He was a pesky type of guy who could take decent fighters over competative rounds. Something like a Vinny Madelone.

Chisora would not beat Berbick or Mercer.

 

Who agrees with that ? Can to possible come up with more different styles ?

Can you imagine what Ray Mercer would have done to Freddie Beshore ? Louis look terrible in that fight. I'm sure there were some comeback bouts he looked better in but that showed he had no legs at all ..

 

Mcvey,

Louis had a 30lb weight advantage on Clarence Henry. He had a much better jab than Henry. I don't think Henry would have an answer for Louis' jab. 37 year old Archie Moore carved up Henry's face with his left jab. Louis had a better jab than Moore. Louis lacked speed, but still had enough power left to hurt Henry, and held a 30lb weight advantage + a skill advantage. Henry had explosive power, but Louis was too cagey to get caught in any Henry traps. Louis wins a unanimous decision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP04YUJt6XQ
Louis had enough left to defeat every 10 contender in 1950 except Charles, Walcott, and Marciano.

 

Walcott I will concede.

Matthews? I think Louis would win all 10 rounds with his jab alone. Matthews would be giving up a 30lb weight advantage. He never fought a 6'2 215lb fighter of Louis skill level. Matthews was bullied around the ring by a fat 205lb Don ****ell. Louis certainly had enough power left to knock out Matthews.

Layne would stand right in front of Louis with his hands low. Even for a 37 year old Louis, that's target practice. Louis carves up Layne. Look at how easily Louis handled Brion and Walker, compared to Layne.

Lastarza had the best chance. However, I think Lastarza would have too many problems with Louis jab, and he will be giving up a 30lb weight advantage. Louis punches will have an effect on Lastarza.

 

HEGrant,

If the 37 year old Joe Louis was so pathetic, then how do you explain prime ATGs Ezzard Charles and Rocky Marciano's faces looking like they went through a meat grinder after their fights with Louis? Does this speak volumes on Louis' power, or the shortcomings of Marciano and Charles for not having an easier time with this old geezer?