Anthony Joshua in the Joe Louis Era.

I don’t think Louis “ breezes” through either. Joe Louis was great because he rose very far above the standards of his day. He took the environment, training standards and the conditions he was in and had a career that no one ever really duplicated. As for him struggling with less than stellar contenders like Galento, I used to make the same criticisms that you’re making. But honestly everyone has a flat performance against an underdog at some point. And I really don’t think Louis took Tony seriously like he did Max Schmeling in their rematch. Galento was awkward as well. Fought dirty all the time. Threw punches from weird angles and had a lot of power. Sure his physique and lifestyle was hardly what you’d expect from a world class fighter but that’s why a lot of guys underestimated him.

 

Agreed. The gap between Louis and the rest of the field of that era was probably greater than any other HW champion (or any other weight class off the top of my head) enjoyed during each of their respective eras.

 

I give predicted outcomes in cross era fantasy fights no consideration. Different conditions make comparisons silly imo, not to mention fighters were focused on competing in their own eras, not looking like they'd suceed in others.

Louis's 25 x consecutive successful lineal title defences are the most in gloved boxings c.140-year history, not just in the HW division, but in all weoght divisions. Those defences were mostly utter dominations/destructions.

Louis wasn't fighting in some regional competition, he was typically defending against the best opposition in the world. Louis was as far removed from the field as any HW, and possibly any boxer in any weight division, ever, in all of boxing history.

 

Good post, and to add to it, I don't think Louis struggled against Galento. He suffered a flash KD, but otherwise dominated and got Galento out of there relatively early.

 

I think he'd sock em all with only Louis standing a chance due to his speed and power. He'd literally be a giant amongst midgets. The only real big guys around basically couldn't box worth a lick eg Abe Simon.

 

I wouldn't favor any ATG HW to have 25 title defenses and did what Joe Louis did actually. And AJ wouldn't even be in the top 40 of them. He turned his back on " Butterbean " Ruiz Jr and quit in the 7th round , enough said.

 

How do you know these guys weren't "mental midgets" as well?

 

I think you may add Ali's first reign, Tyson's reign and Wlad's reign to it.

 

Agreed.

 

Good call outs. Wlad absolutely would be up there, except for maybe his brother being in the same division at the same time. The titles had to be split between the two, so he wasn't THE guy for most of that reign as Louis had been. Wlad was thoroughly dominant vs. in his title defenses though.

 

True. Nobody can touch Louis' reign. Universally recognized, undisputed for 12 years. They don't make them like that no more.

 

yeah this.

prime aj would beat louis if he just stepped into a time machine.

 

If AJ had access to modern nutrition, PEDs, etc and was just magically transported there, of course he would win.

Now if AJ grew up in that era and had the same training and nutrition as everyone else, I believe he would lose to a few guys.