I feel like most people believe that 60s Ali was too quick for Louis, but how would 70s Ali (71-75) do against Louis over 15?
I think the best of the 70's version Ali is still a bit problematic for Joe with all that handspeed but Joe's going to have a lot more opportunity. It's a great matchup and i'd hardly rally against anyone picking Joe.
Good post. This scenario between a prime Louis and the best 70s version of Ali makes it more of a 50/50 one than if it were featuring the prime 1966/67 incarnation of Muhammad,whom I'm confident would clearly outpoint Louis. I will use a 1972-74 Ali. It was in this window that I think Muhammad was in his best post-prime form versus the 1938 Louis. Muhammad would punish Joe frequently throughout with his still blazing fast combinations and frustrate him with his movement. Louis would always be a threat with his combination punches and would be pressuring Ali constantly being very busy taking advantage of Ali taking breathers on the ropes. It is quite believable that Joe would outwork Muhammad to take a close yet decisive points verdict. It is also feasible that Ali could catch Joe off his guard with his own dangerous punches late on when Louis tires thus stopping him.
The Muhammad Ali in the 2nd Ken Norton fight out points Joe Louis. That for me is when Ali was arguably at his sharpest in the 70s, he had his movement for all 12 round and was very sharp.
Louis has an excellent chance Ali cant bang hard enough and throws nothing to the body, PLUS, he lost much of his food speed from the 1960s in short, the heavier Ali got, the slower he became It will be like the Norton fight
Slow Joe Louis whup Ali? But fr I always go back to the Cus/Ali argument whenever a Louis/Ali fight is discussed. Good stuff.
Lol I do think Ali could recover well enough to survive Louis combinations but Cus was right saying he'd get tagged w a good shot later. Tbf Cooper did deck him previously not sure if Cus knew or forgot that during their skirmish.
Louis. Ali was too flat-footed at this point. He'll lay on the ropes, stand in front of Louis a lot & allow his machismo to get the better of him. Louis via Late Stoppage. Louis is one of the few to stop early 70s Ali...
