Joe Louis: 6′ 2″ - 76 inches of reach - prime fighting weight 207lb (Baer II) Evander Holyfield: 6′ 2½″ - 78 inches of reach - prime fighting weight 217lb (Bowe II) Scenario 1: 12 rounds Scenario 2: 15 rounds
Damn, I forgot Louis was so small. I don't think I've watched enough JL footage to weigh in on this one, except to say that Holyfield was a handful for anybody at his weight.
I think Louis would have knocked out Holyfield...those combinations...Evander can take a dig, no doubt, but 5 or 6 or 7 shots - in combo? No.
I dunno about that. Bobby Czyz gave Holyfield a good go and he's no ballerina. Somehow I get the feeling that Holyfield vs Louis would result in Holy coming in to prove a point and slugging it out. In such a scenario I could see Evander find out what Joe Louis is all about. I don't think this fight would be easy for either of them though.
If Holyfield did decide to go to war, he would be knocked out plain and simple. If he remained disciplined he could win a decision,but even that's no given because Louis wasn't exactly a slouch in the boxing stakes.
If Holyfield boxes and stays on his toes... he wins a relatively comfortable decision. If he decides to brawl... He'll put Joe down once, maybe twice, but in the end he's the one KO'd
I think that Louis might just be a little too green for Holyfield. He was experienced, yes, but he hadn't experienced the final adjustment to his defence and jab (though Max Baer is a great jabbing performance). In the end - i'm off the opinion that if Schmeling could find this fighter out, Holyfield could too. It'd be a heart in the mouth type pick but i'd go for Holyfield.
Louis best weight as per Louis was 202 but weight does not matter in the hwt division when ATG like Louis is involved. Holy has his moments early but is mowed down within 7 round by KO. The fighter who fought John Henry Lewis was the near perfect fighting machine. Absolute physical prime...killer puncher, quick, great boxer. Had it all.
Seriously. Louis by KO inside of 5. louis was the greatest fastest hardest hitting and greatest finisher in heavy and I would say boxing history. Muscleman fails and in knocked flat cold for 10 easily. Young Louis was a stoneeyed killer. And in a rematch, he takes him in 1. You guys are sooo mezmerized by size.
Holyfield was slow. Joe was also the greatest combo puncher and his body attack destroys muscleman like fatass Toney did.