Prime Joe Louis vs 1991 Mike Tyson

Louis could use movement when he wanted to as evidenced in the Louis/Max Baer fight. He may not have Douglas size, but he'd be able to land just as many combinations, but since Louis was likely the harder hitter, every shot would have more effect.

 

Louis was the better overall fighter, but I kinda think Tyson might overwhelm him.

 

Louis in about 7 or 8 rounds.

 

A couple of good right hands from Joe and Tyson would be looking for a way out.

 

Mike Tyson wasn't really physically diminished until after the 2 Holyfield Fights.
His decline until then was mentality, desire and lifestyle/ringrust related.

91 Mike had lots of heart and mental toughness in the ring and wasn't as arrogant as he had lost only one year before.
As someone with much boxing knowledge and a habit of watching lots of film he would also be very much aware of Louis's greatness and ability both as a jabber and combo puncher. Meaning he would be in shape and prepare in training to move his head and counter with combinations, even if he didn't use much headmovement and crouching against jab-less uppercut artist razor ruddock.

Now would it be enough?Maybe, maybe not. But Mike still had fighting spirit and nothing physically wrong with him yet in 91and he wouldn't be stupid enough to take on prime Louis unless he was at his best.

 

I never really liked this match up for Louis. He may have been the greater fighter but Tyson was still in his prime, and extremely dangerous.

Tyson from the Botha fight onwards then its a guaranteed Louis win.

Tyson Post-Prison until Holyfield II? 50/50.

Tyson Pre-Prison? Mike is the clear favorite; and would likely win by KO inside 6 rounds.

 

I can with a degree of reluctance, pick Louis over any version of Tyson.

Being further diminished, is obviously not going to help Tyson's case!

 

You know Lewis is absolutely great, but you may be right about this

 

Top of his game Louis against Tyson who had had his supposed invincibility exposed which added another minus tick in Tysons mental fortitude question sheet.

Louis gets on top in fight, Tysons mental demons bring about his demise, ably assisted by Louis.

 

Mike would crowd the sh*t out of Joe and could damn sure hit harder than Galento. On the flip side, Mike never faced a combo puncher like Joe... And don't underestimate Joes power jab. It was one of the greatest ever.

 

Two great combination punchers that were some of the fastest the division has ever seen. I honestly think Louis would win this one because of his ability to take advantage of Tyson's wide looping shots and punishing jab. Both can be knocked out in this fight.

 

Arcel says Louis had the best left hand he ever saw - "he could knock you out with a jab".

 

I've never seen Louis knock anyone out with a jab, so, there's that fact.

Tyson and Louis are 1A and 1B when it comes to heavyweight combination punching. I believe Tyson up until 1998 would've beaten Louis. Helluva fight with major fireworks throughout.

 

Have you seen every round he sparred? The end of every fight he had? There's that too.

 

Jabless uppercut artist?? Never heard him called that before.... But he was jabless