What Made Joe Louis So Special?

Discipline, grit, self-control. That on top of amazing hand-speed, punching power, as well as dedication to technicalities of pugilism.

 

short vicious technically perfect combinations

 

For his time he was technically superior and had more power than his competition. He also had impeccable timing and extreme focus in his preparation for fights. He was very special.

 

Joe louis was a great man and champion. He made the most of being the World Heavyweight Champion, 1937-1949. Louis fought just about anyone who wanted to challenge him for his coveted title, he gave that opportunity to anyone, the Bum Of The Month Club in the 1940's, challengers like Max Schmeling, Tony Galento, Abe Simon, Bob Pastor, Arturo Godoy, Tommy Farr, Billy Conn, John Henry Lewis, Buddy Baer and Jersey Joe Walcott. Joe's style required an immense amount of concentration, he was not a fancy fighter, he had a hard left jab, brisk combinations, but his right hand was paralyzing. He volunteered to fight in a justified war in which our nation was attacked. Louis did a lot for the morale of the world at war. Joe was a perfect example of how a celebrated champion should conduct themselves in public. He came from the poor and oppressed, fought his way up with the help of his great mentor Chappie Blackburn. But is was unfortunate that such a kind soul like Louis was sadly taken advantage by the sharks out in the world, especially in the boxing circles. For that he made a comeback in 1950 after retiring as champion on March 1 1949, because he owed the IRS $900.000.00 in back income taxes. He was thoroughly defeated on points by champion Ezzard Charles on Sept 27 1950 and Rocky Marciano on Oct 26 1951 by KO 8. Marciano replied after the KO win over Louis, It Is A Hard Thing When You Have To Destroy Your Idol.

 

"Slow moving,shuffling Joe Louis?"

Outta here Ali!

Anyways before I was interrupted his technique, poetic ability to land combos w precision n taking on the best names of his time even to his last fight.

I will add that he avenged his loss to Schemling n didn't lose again until his 30s. Don't think that gets brought up enough and tbf, it was to Charles n Marciano. Only top names who r rated as ATGs beat him that's still impressive.

Joe n Max might b my favourite boxing movie too btw. Very underrated.

 

Beautiful combinations, perfectly thrown. Great punch selection and accuracy, and also something you never really see brought up about him, great stamina. He almost never labored and always maintained great technique into the late rounds, on the rare occasions he had to see them.

 

Charismatic and handsome with humility. Fantastic jab , one of the best right crosses among all the heavyweights and a short sharp left hook.

 

So very true.

 

Thanks buddy.

 

I think Joe’s handspeed is often overlooked. I remember Eddie Futch before the Tyson-Spinks fight saying Tyson had the best handspeed he had seen since Joe Louis, which really made an impression on me.

 

the Age, the Era, the Racism and just the need & drive to be taught, disiplined and to Win.

combine all that with the Mentality of the Era, you Had to Fight Often, it was the Expected NORM and the competition was equally good, willing and capable.

just a Harder period of life all round!