51 Joe Louis v 78 Ali

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Brockton Rock, Mar 24, 2020.



  1. Brockton Rock

    Brockton Rock Member Full Member

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    15 rounds, who do you have at this point in their careers?
     
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  2. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I have to admit this but both fighters were years past their primes, Joe by TKO 12. Louis went 8 with Rocky Marciano on Oct 26 1951, before being stopped by Rocky. Muhammad Ali looked terrible against Leon Spinks on Feb 15 1978, when he was beaten and lost his title. On Sept 15 1978, he looked good, but he was damaged in many ways, years of using Rope A Dope did not help his apparent neurological issues. He was stopped in round 10 by then WBC World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes on Oct 2 1980, then lost a year later to Trevor Berbick.
     
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Louis would win, because Ali was further past his best.

    Both fought on for too long, but Louis saw the light slightly sooner.
     
  5. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Louis win probably win a decision based on his good jab. Ali is not hitting with power so he is in no danger of getting stopped. Laying on the ropes doesn't work even against an ancient Louis.
     
  6. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    This.
    Ali too durable and good as a boxer at the moment while Louis had no sharp quickness anymore.
    Btw, this Ali could very well go the distance with Rocco.
     
  7. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Is 1978 Ali really better boxer than old Louis? I don't think so to be honest.
     
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    God, this is hard but I'll say Ali by decision.. Just.
     
  9. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali lost to Leon Spinks, nuff said .Louis by UD
     
  10. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Louis by UD. Cmon Ali was completely shot by then.
     
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  11. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Put the pipe down
     
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  12. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    So was Louis.
     
  13. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Spinks was still a damn good fighter in 78 and just a couple of years removed from winning gold in the Olympics against a very tough field. Ali was definitely on the decline by 78 but he was still formidable. By the early 80's Spinks was a completely shot fighter and probably suffering from the effects of CTE but in 78 he was no joke.

    I do even want to pick a winner between these two versions of Louis and Ali. Both guys took a lot of damage in fights that they should not have been in. Louis with Rocky and Ali with Spinks, Holmes and Berbick. Prime for Prime I would go with Ali though.
     
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  14. Charlietf

    Charlietf Well-Known Member Full Member

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    78 Ali was one of the worst hws champions ever. Still i guarantee you that you have around here 2 or 3 trolls saying that this version of Ali is 50/50 vs Foreman
     
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  15. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Spinks was a cherry pick gone wrong, how many pro fights did he have at that time 10? I don't remember , Ali and his entourage of butt kissers thought there was no way he'd beat Ali, even an old Ali and Muhammed didn't train for this fight for the same reason. He played around with Leon and it cost him.
     
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