Which Of The "Old Guys '', Give Joe Louis The Harder Fight?

Just been reading a bit about the Murray Woroner fantasy radio fights, got me thinking about Joe Louis verse Some of the older Heavyweight Champs.

So Joe Louis against..
Bob Fitzsimmons
Jess Willard
James J Jeffries
Jack Dempsey
Jack Johnson.

Of the above, which is the toughest fight for Joe.?
All fight are set in the older fighter time, their rules, gloves, etc.

 

Dempsey, followed by Johnson.
Dempsey takes him out early, before Joe can get into his rhythm. Jack would get under Joe's jab start hooking , and never stop.
If Louis can weather the early rounds his chances increase dramatically,but I am betting he won't be able to.

Johnson closes Joe's offence down , parries his jab,and frustrates him by closing him down inside.Johnson by decision.

Fitz was too open and not hard to hit,he may momentarily stun Louis,but Joe's jab would open him up for combinations that would be beyond Bob's experience .mid rounds stoppage.

Willard would receive a methodical ,measured thrashing,too slow on his feet, and cumbersome .
It would be a mercy when the referee halts the action after 12 rounds of one way traffic.

Jeffries never faced a precision puncher with the power and speed of Louis,that low left would be an open invitation for Louis' meat axe right cross,and Joe's jab would turn Jeffries face into raw hamburger.One sided 20 rounds decision for Louis or ,if the ref is kind,a late rounds rescue with Jeff a bloody mess.

 

I like McGrain's analysis of this. In theory he is right; stylistically JJ would be a pain for Louis to deal with. However Johnson has never impressed me that much on film whereas Louis has some of the smoothest and most chain-lightning combinations I have seen. I personally believe Louis would detonate on JJ's chin way before JJ tired Louis out.

So my pick is Dempsey - he wants a brawl, he doesn't have to chase Louis who didn't run much anyways, and he has the speed and power to compete in those departments. Now he doesn't have Louis' accuracy or jab which may be decisive factors, but he does have, imo, the better chin. That could be decisive should he manage to turn it into a brawl.

 

I really like Dempsey against Joe. It's just that early, swarm that could rattle him and get him early.
Yep, there is the chance of Joe making it thru the storm and taking him deeper, that's when it gets harder.

 

Gene Tunney because of his movement.

 

It is fascinating, Louis is such an interesting guy in fantasy fights, because let's face it, he hardly lost

 

Shades of Billy Conn.

 

I agree. I used to favor Louis in this match up but I think I'm going with Dempsey now. Dempsey was faster than Louis imo, and his superior chin would bring him home in a war. I however favor Louis over the other elite swarmers at heavy, Marciano and Frazier.

 

Johnson. I think he's the only one I'd fancy to even make the distance with Joe. Dempsey would get his boots smoked inside of like 6 rounds max. There are levels to punching and his precision and placement were nowhere near Joe Louis', nor his technique, nor his power. Willard, just a big guy really, Louis easily crushes him. Fitz is too small and old school, would not last long. Jeffries probably second to Johnson but I don't think either wins. Johnson being the spoiler and his strengths of defense, hand fighting, and smothering would give Joe a fair bit of headaches but he would still find his openings and unload on Johnson, maybe stopping him if they go past 15.

 

Dempsey, Johnson, Fitz, Jeffries and Willard in that order as far as toughness of the assignment. And only the first two would be competitive.

 

Bizarrely I wonder if Bob Fitzsimmons might have been the most dangerous of teh bunch as an older fighter.

 

I think he clobbers Willard and Jeffries with relative ease. Those are fights that stylistically favour Joe, although Jeff was very durable and there's always the threat of his left hook. I also think he beats Johnson and Fitzsimmons convincingly (although Fitz is an enigma to me, the Fitz from the Corbett fight seemed like a different fighter to Fitz in newspaper descriptions)

I think Dempsey puts up the best effort here, he has a relatively high chance of blowing Joe out early. Although I still would favour Louis

 

Totally agree. Johnson is the hardest fight.
Willard the easiest.

 

Hi Buddy.
Your post and breakdown are both excellent, precise, concise, and very illuminating, shows a deep knowledge and understanding of our sport , also you have helped myself with the who beats who in this thread, many thanks.
stay safe hombre.