Could prime Joe Louis overcome 1974 George Foreman

I'd pick Louis to beat any version of George

 

I genuinely believe that people would be shocked at how relatively easily Joe Louis would beat Foreman. Out of any top 10 ATG Heavyweight, Louis might have very well beaten Foreman the easiest. His long guard and pushing style would be a huge liability, and I see no reason why Louis couldn't counter Foreman over the top with counter shots akin to how Ali did in Zaire, he's practically asking for it. Only that Louis was the much better puncher in just about every aspect.

Foreman could physically push him around for a bit and keep him honest with some good shots on the ropes, but Louis could throw some devastating short shots in the pocket that sent several fighters stumbling like drunken sailors when they got too confident, and Foreman would soon be a sitting duck as well. This isn't the short Frazier who could only press his foe by moving forward here. Louis had no problem staying at long range while waiting for his opponent to enter his kill zone, that was what his whole style relied on. The moment that Foreman would enter that kill zone, he would be like a baby seal facing a killer whale. He doesn't have the stamina, consistency or the smarts to be able to take away Louis's balance and foundation for long like Conn did. I see Louis knocking Foreman out somewhere in the middle rounds.

 

If the question is “ could?” Then yes. Joe Louis had very fast hands with precision combinations and lots of power. He could rise off the canvas to win. He could go fifteen rounds and also beat some very big men. Is Joe Louis beating George Foreman something I would bet money on ? No. For whatever shortcomings George had, he was a better fighter and superior puncher to the other big hitters Louis faced

 

If Foreman knocks Louis down early, Louis is not surviving. Louis did not have the defense and survival skills to avoid getting taken out by a fresh Foreman out for blood. However, I would expect that Louis makes it past the scary early rounds and taking over with his superior technique, hand speed, and combinations. Foreman could always turn things around with a bomb, but Louis would be parrying and countering Foreman's wider clubbing shots.

The main thing I'd be worried about for Louis are Foreman's body shots. Did Louis ever endure some good blows to the body?

 

I agree with most here and see Joe Louis winning this fight by a knockout. Joe would not be afraid to try to get inside on Foreman, even though he may get his head taken off for it, but I see him getting inside and hitting George with something big like a straight right hand.

 

Louis had fast hands with excellent power and skills, great jab, doggedness, high ring IQ.

George would take too many shots, and be very frustrated within a few rounds.

Louis in 6.

 

What would you say a guy like Galento (who fought peak Louis) brought to the table that made him immensely harder to beat than you see Foreman being? He's an inch shorter than Alexis Arguello with the same reach so it's not size. Do you see him better defensively than Foreman? More durable? More skillful? What about Arturo Godoy? Joe certainly had his share of problems with these two low level brawlers. I recall a lot of claims that he said mauling type fighters gave him the most trouble?

A Louis victory wouldn't surprise me but i think he has to do more than just turn up personally.

 

Foreman has to start underdog for mine. It might be a narrow underdog, but he was so wide & inaccurate, & Louis so very much the opposite of that. When both guys can hit like tree trunks, but one makes every shot count, & has twice the enemy’s handspeed, he’s getting my vote.

Louis KO4 but it could certainly go the other way.

 

Foreman would knock Louis out within 3 would not be pretty for Joe!

 

If Louis had problems with sluggers there'd be something to say about George's chances here but he usually sent those guys out in short order.

We already know George's issues with good counter punchers who could move and Louis would be in and out in the pocket, jabbing, ducking, parrying, bobbing and keeping his range while letting Foreman plod in.

One hick up with Galento points to Foreman having some prospects here though it's nicely balanced with George's own vulnerable performance against Ron Lyle. If Foreman goes down butt up, he winds up in the same position in short order.

 

Louis is like Quarry for sluggers but same way had a problem with swarmers.
I think Louis would have good chances of beatin Foreman but I would not be suprised if Foreman beat him.

 

Hi Buddy.
Rather than go for the " a beats b in 5 " you have chosen a nuanced and researched approach of which is both informative and enlightening, true to form, I have said on many occasions, the Foreman of the Frazier and Norton fights is a tough ask for any and all former champs, in fact I would only have Holmes and maybe Lewis in with a shout, I would fancy George to overrun Louis, and the fight to be over in 3/4 rounds, not saying it's impossible for Louis to win , but I see it as doubtful, just my opinion.
stay safe JT and more of your excellent posts pls , chat soon.

 

A game plan based on a crouching style. Notice how Galento moves to his right (Louis' left) while in a crouch in order to force Joe to throw his lead hand since he can't quite reach with his right hand, which also shortens Louis' reach, and then comes up suddenly over the top to catch him with a left in the first round. Even in the KD, Galento has his left foot almost right next to Louis', which slightly disturbs his balance and then results in the KD. Louis was also fighting very tensely, which didn't help him either. Foreman just didn't fight that way despite being the better fighter.

Been a while since I've watched the Godoy fight, but it was probably a similar type of strategy.

That's kind of a given, isn't it ? We're comparing a prime Louis to a 1974 George here, so why would we put a Louis that wasn't fully at his best against George here and just showed up for a check? He had his issues against Galento and Godoy, but he also had an easier time with better fighters than them. If Louis shows up held back by something, Foreman can surely have some good success. But I'm confident that a Louis that fires on all cylinders would break Foreman down after the first few rounds.