Rocky Marciano Film Study

So, you want to discredit a true Hall of Fame sportswriter who was friends with Louis and saw Louis fight firsthand as early as the 1936? I guess that makes sense in some universe, but let's move on...

Bob Murphy, Detroit Times sports editor, a guy who saw Louis fight once or twice or a couple dozen times, had the following to say...

"Louis is a far cry from the devastating puncher who once ruled the roost."

From Earl Loftquist in the Providence Journal...

"Old fighters do not know when they are done, and Louis is no exception. He must know that there is a great probability that he will reach the end of the road in MSG. The sad truth is that Louis has not looked good in any fight since the evening he was badly beaten by Charles. Nor has he fought anybody of any importance in the course of his so-called comeback. The Agramontes do not count, yet Joe was not able to catch up with Omelio in two fights. Nor does Lee Savold count... Lee Savold never has been anything better that a second-rater... (Against Savold) a man as old as himself and whose style was made to order, he looked pitifully slow."

Go ahead and die on this hill but you are writing fan fiction and no one with any objectivity can take you seriously.

 

That is not film of Louis Brion II...that is film of Louis Brion I incorrectly titled “Louis Brion II”

There is no footage of Louis Brion II on YouTube

 

Except once again you’ve been duped because the footage called Louis Brion II on YouTube is actually the first fight filmed at a different camera angle

 

Except he wasn’t beating elite fighters of the day, unless you consider 36 year old Lee Savold (who earned his high ranking off Woodcock quitting on his stool) still “elite”

The elite fighters in 1951 were Charles, Walcott, Marciano, Henry, Baker, and Layne. Louis defeated none of these men

Louis did beat up on the fringe contenders Brion, Bivins, Beshore, agramonte

 

Think about the way Lennox fought Tua. Extreme caution. The difference between Tua and Marciano? Marciano didn't get tired and he had a right hand too. How does Lewis handle Rocky up in his chest for 12 rounds.?

 

Uppercuts.

 

By knocking him out.

 

This is EXACTLY my point. Taking away what he was and seeing the 1951 joe Louis at face value.

By Joe Louis’ very high standard he was terrible. I accept that. but he’s still as good as many a weak champion ever was. Many a time the champion himself is not the best fighter in the world.

Level of opponent also effects how good a fighter looks. Louis looked magnificent against Valentino and Savold.

In fact, and this is no overvaluation at all, Joe was still recording comparable results to the top fighters of the time against common opponents. Film of Louis against Savold and Brion compares well with film of Marciano against Savold and Charles against Brion.

However Louis at this point may do as well against the same guys they beat and get beaten by both Charles and Marciano which is exactly what happened. But what has not happened is that Charles and Rocky do not necessarily get a face value credit for beating a man who could beat most men they had as well as they did all because Joe Louis was no longer the same force he was 10 years earlier.

 

Not better than he actually was. Just good enough to be who he was at that time. Number one contender. Why would I try to insist on him being in his prime when At every turn on this debate I have said Louis was no longer his best?

John Thomas you get bolt upright about this issue but it’s time to deflate on this.

 

Louis was a far cry from the man he had been. I have never disputed this. All champions are “a far cry” from that version since Joe was most likely the best ever.

again this is ANOTHER comparison to what Louis once was. It is not a face valuation. Nor is it entirely true to say Savold was nobody of any importance. Half the world at that time recognised Savold (rightly or wrongly) as the current champion.

 

The difference between Tua and Marciano? About 55 pounds!
Did Tua get tired against Ibeabuchi?
Ike had a good right hand watch him against Moorer!
He also had a better chin than Marciano and better cut resistance.

 

Savold was past his best and his best was never that special.Liebling watching him against Louis ,called him a tired second rater.

 

But did Savold fare any worse against Marciano? That’s my point. Whilst Louis was past his prime he was still recording comparable results with Charles and Rocky. The top men at that time.

 

Ive seen highlights of both fights. Brion had white shorts on one of the films. Dark in another. Two different fights. Louis much better in the last one.

 

Marciano looked bad against Savold ,but that doesn't make Louis any better does it!