Joe Louis Facing The Big Hitters From Ali's Era..?

The skilled power hitters over 200 pounds are far and few between in Joe Louis day. Not so in Ali's day. Without question Ali fought the better hitters and had the better chin. To compare the 1930's & 1940's to the 1960's and 1970's is comparing eras. I'd rather talk about the fighters in the own era.

 

Liston and Foreman would have been the biggest danger to Louis. Frazier would be a major threat but only if he gets through the first five rounds or so. Shavers would be a risk but not as much as the other three.

 

I see Foreman getting stopped, with Louis suffering a kd along the way.

I don't think George could have handled the combinations for too long, plus Joe's jab was at least as good as George's and certainly faster.

George gets floored three times by (or even in) round 8 and it's over.

Liston is trickier, a really good boxer and ugly puncher.

 

Louis doesn't have the lateral movement to survive a prime Liston or Foreman, I think Louis could beat Frazier with some wicked combinations as Frazier comes in. Louis destroys Shavers

 

Do they have the lateral movement to survive him?

 

Good question, but as hard as Louis hit he's at a disadvantage in an exchange with those guys, I can see Sonny and Geroge taking Joe's best shot , but I can't see Louis taking one from them. Add to the fact Liston and Foreman had the 2 most formidable and hardest jabs in heavyweight history it's an up hill climb in my opinion. Could Joe pull it off, maybe , but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

I think Louis can catch Foreman, but not Liston. Sonny's jab will give him fits.

 

True story. Think we all tend to underrate Joe a bit. He’s survived hitters like Baer, Galento, Schmeling, Walcott, Buddy Baer,. Some were way over 200. Think people over estimating weight and underrating joes accuracy and speed. It’s just as likely Louis beats Liston and Foremam to the punch. Obviously a tough night for all involved

 

While I think that their chins were a bit better than his, there is not as much in it as some people seem to think.

 

I have always been convinced that, after Ali, Louis had the best footwork of any Heavyweight Champion. I've made the point on here before. If you watch Joe's feet, they are never still, he's always making little adjustments, changing his angles, shifting his weight and always perfectly set to punch.
The result of this for his opponent is that the other guy finds it immensely difficult to get set and throw with total confidence and commitment.
Any fight with a big hitter is a tap dance across a minefield but I would make Joe favourite against Foreman and Liston. Frazier's low centre of gravity and wide angles set him a different challenge but Frazier would have to get to Louis early. Once the Bomber has acclimatised to Frazier's style, he would start picking him apart with those thumping combinations.

 

Better than Jersey Joe Walcott?

 

Joe would get dropped numerous times. His hand speed and pinpoint accuracy will prevail more often than not...

 

I think so yeah. Walcott could dance beautifully but Louis's work was very technical. Walcott out moved Louis towards the end of the Bomber's best days.

 

Strangly, i can see Frazier as the bigger challenge, his bobbing, crouching aggression and hooks would unsettle Louis. Like others, I give Shavers little chance and I think the speed + power of Joe Louis would be too much for the much slower punching Foreman or Sonny, but hey, any and all of them could spark the other out.