Is Perception Reality: The punching power of Joe Louis

I have never questioned Joe Louis`s power. I think that is insane to do. Joe is the reason the heavyweight title became what it was. He made it. Joe wasn't a perfect fighter but he was closer than most. I have heard and read questions about his chin perhaps or his ability to cut the ring against an elite all timer like Ali but his power? No way.

 

Good post and points. There is or was,[ just booted,]a poster here who believes Walcott was a harder hitter than Louis, I do not agree with him.Louis smashed Paulino's gold bridgework to pieces, he drove Braddock's teeth through his mouthpiece and into his lips.He was a top notch hitter and just about the most correct heavyweight puncher I have seen.

 

That video of Louis vs. Baer is one of the best boxing videos on the internet imo.

His accuracy is bonkers (5:45)
His punching power and mechanics are magical. As magical as something so brutal can be.
Mayweather accuracy, Foreman power.
Abnormal hand speed for such power.
And someone who understood the ebbs and flow of boxing, and how to win in a diverse set of situations.

His slipping, head movement and parrying in this fight is phenomenal.
He doesn't stick to one maneuver, he mixes them all up, and uses what is needed at the moment. (6:01)


I agree with and echo the sentiments of the thread.

 

Look how Louis numbs Baer at 6:03 with a short overhand that doesn't even land flush.
Baers body reacts to the punch the way a middleweight should react to getting hit by a power punching heavyweight. His entire body turns and he goes numb.

Even I can ****ing feel that punch from here, damn.

 

Power doesn't solve all problems all the time or even consistently. In fact it can be argued it's not even a top 5 factor in successful boxing.

Joe Louis had more than enough pop in his punches to succeed at any level in any era of the sport. And we know his name because he had bevy of other assets to his game.

 

The sound of Baers head crashing into the canvas at 8:05 after that uppercut-hook is disgusting.
Especially when you realize you're hearing it through antiquated muffled audio.

 

Imagine what it was like being there and having a guy that size hit the canvas like that. You could probably feel it.

 

OK. It must be stated that Baer is slow as molasses. Maybe because this is his last fight but he looks to lack all snap and telegraphs his punches from another zip code. Also, he had fought Louis before. What gave him the idea that giving up his height and reach advantage and crowding Louis was a good idea? He purposefully and obligingly enters Louis' wheelhouse with nothing more that brute rough-housing. That's not a great tactic against a guy who was the greatest mid and inside sharpshooter the division ever saw.

 

I see what you are saying but Baer wasn't a stick and mover,and Louis was too quick for him to ever outjab him so apart from trying to turn it into a brawl utilising his size ,strength, and weight, what alternatives did he have?

 

The odds are Louis would beat Wilder in one round too. And no guarantee Wilder could beat Baer.

 

Yet Baer is twice as functional as Stiverne was against Wilder.

 

I wouldn't be at all surprise to see Wilder drop Louis.

 

Wilder can certainly wack. I suppose any puncher should be treated with respect. You can’t rule anything out.

I just think Joe could get through and make an immediate impression on Wilder. The adjustment would be too much for Wilder to cope with. Too much of a gulf in class at this point of Wilders career. It’s not Deontays fault. Lack of opposition means Baer and Simon would be more serious threats to Wilder than they were to Louis.

 

Don't sign for a second asswhuppin'?

His tools and approach make him tailored for Louis.