A Challenger From Either Of Alis Two Reigns, That Could Possibly Beat Joe Louis?

Ali wasn`t a champ when he met Joe in the rematch in 74.

 

If we’re talking about fighters who “ challenged Ali when he was champ” then that would rule out Foreman and Liston. Unless you want to include Liston from their rematch but that version of Sonny was shot and I wouldn’t favor him over Joe Louis. That said I don’t see anyone from the sixties crew Of title challengers to beat him. In the seventies we had guys like Norton, Frazier, Quarry, Lyle, Shavers and Young. Not sure i can make any of those favorites but Jimmy Young would be a hard and frustrating opponent for even Joe Louis.

 

You're right, we're left just with 75 Frazier who, unfortunately, was almost completely blind in one eye by then.

 

I dont favor anyone from Ali's first reign, to beat Louis. Liston in his prime would do it imo, but in '64 he is far removed from his best. In Muhammad's second reign the following fighters have the best chance: Frazier, Lyle, Young and Norton. I think out of those 4, Lyle is the one that has the least chances imo. Young could put up a Billy Conn performance. I really think there is a case to be made for Young UD. Its not easy to finish him he has a good chin and he is fast, elusive and slick enough to make it to the final bell imo. On top of that, he is a bit bigger than Louis. Frazier and Norton weren't in their primes, but they were still elite when they faced Ali. I think Frazier in '75 still has a good chance of beating Louis. Norton was still good in '76, but I dont know if he can take the punches of Louis. I might go with Young and Frazier (you could include Norton) I think both have the best chances of beating Louis imo.

 

He was practically blind his left eye by 1974:
In the '60s, shards of metal landed in his eyes while training with a faulty speed bag in Philadelphia. His trainers kept it a secret so he could continue to fight, but a decade later, he developed cataracts from the scar tissue and lost most of his vision in his left eye.

 

I know. I've always wondered why he didn't try to get surgery to fix the issue. Was medicine not advanced enough back then ?!

 

He'd survive them just like he always did. He's like Holmes in that you can get him down but the difference between getting him down and keeping him down is large. Both guys recuperate superbly and Louis was sometimes at his most dangerous when hurt.

 

Let’s see..,
First reign:
Liston - no
Patterson - no
Chuvalo - no
Cooper - no
London - no
Mildenberger - might give Louis problems if Joe is having an off night. I’d put $10 on Karl.
Williams - no
Terrell - probably not. I’d be willing to put $10 on Ernie.
Folley - no

second reign:
Wepner - no
Lyle - no
Bugner - no
Frazier III - maybe, if it’s the Louis of Walcott I. $10 on Frazier.
Coopman - please
Young - possibly, but only that version (76-77) of Young. I’d put $25 on Jimmy.
Dunn - nope
Norton III - possibly, but only post-war Joe. $15 on Norton.
Evangelista - no
Shavers - no, he’s not going to bomb out someone of Louis’ caliber.
Spinks I - maybe, but only that version of Leon Spinks from that night. $20 on Leon.

Third reign:
Since some recognize Ali as lineal champ and thus Larry Holmes as his challenger, I’d give this version of Holmes the best chance to beat Louis. I don’t have money to throw around, as ive shown above, but I’d put $100 on Larry.

 

Zero - the only heavyweight that could beat Louis is Ali, and Joe could beat Ali as well