51 Joe Louis v 78 Ali

No Louis was on a winning streak. He wasn’t the same fighter he was but he wasn’t showing signs of brain damage. He was just an older fighter. Ali was damaged goods and it was obvious to everyone around him.

 

Ali was on a a winning streak. And champion.

Both were shot.

 

Who thinks of this sadistic ****?

 

Louis was 7-1 against some ranked contenders in 51
Ali was 1-1 against a very green Spinks and had clear signs of brain damage. There is no competition here. Joe looks better on film to.

 

In fairness, Ali WAS on a winning streak dating back to 73 when he lost to Spinks. Louis wins this hellish match up imo, but if a commission actually allowed it to happen it's a disservice to the fighter's health.

 

Yes. But pretending he wasn't shot is ridiculous.

 

Both shot just Joes style aged better it’s that simple.

 

Yes def shot. wasn’t pretending otherwise but that year he had results. And was def less shot then Ali imo

 

Agreed. Spinks had a very small window as a pro where he was good. His prime certainly did not last long. He did however have a very long amauter career at a very high level competing against very good Cuban and Russian fighters that would have been solid pro's had they had the chance to turn pro.

Leon certainly brought to Ali in that first fight with his swarming style. Too bad Leon couldn't stay disciplined.

 

He had 8 pro fights. He shouldnt have been in the ring and the fact that he won is really an embarrassment. Not to mention a testament to Ali's physical state. Ali already lost the title 2 or 3 times in his recent fights.

 

He was Chanpion. That part is right. That had nothing to do with his boxing ability. It was the boxing establishment not wanting to let go.

 

No doubt Ali was in decline but he still beat a very dangerous Ernie Shavers just months before the Spinks fight and had wins over both Jimmy Young and Ken Norton as well although I thought Norton should have won there third fight.

Regarding Spinks, yes he had only 8 fights at the time he met Ali but again, he was an Olympic gold medalist in an era when the best fighters from communist countries did not compete as pro's. Losing to Spinks should not be considered an embarrassment at THAT time. Yes Spinks went on to look like **** just a few years later but at that point Spinks had a lot of issues himself. He was most likely suffering from CTE as well as his other substance abuse issues.

 

Put your Rocky agenda down.
On quick reflexes relying offensive boxers go earlier than rangy durable defensive jabbers.
Louis lost his sharp edge and had to throw the stub.

 

Holmes could have put Ali down sooner but he wasn’t as aggressive as Marciano would have been. You’re being dishonest if you really think any prime halfway decent past champ wouldn’t have stopped that version of Ali.