How Joe Louis rated his opponents

Reading the article, (assuming that the writer didnt just post an old list of Joe's) it would seem that Louis did rate Marciano very highly, but thought that he improved After he fought Louis. Marciano fought Louis early in his career, and i think he did seem to get better as time went on. I think it possible that Louis' non rating of Marciano was more an acknowledgment that he did not actually fight prime Marciano. If this is where he is coming from I would guess that he has probably underestimated the fighter that he lost to, but i also think that he might actually have a pretty decent point, which i myself had nt really considered that much.

 

Joe's high rating of Braddock from 1951 rings true to me. Jimmy reportedly had no fear of him before they squared off, and left the dressing room as if he was the boss. He said he fought Louis as well as he ever fought anybody, decked him early, and otherwise battled him on even terms through the first four rounds before the ravages of arthritis began to compromise his mobility and effectiveness. Joe was impressed enough to say, "Only Max Baer could hit harder than Jimmy Braddock." It was likely the very best version of Braddock that ever stepped foot in the ring who Louis had to wrest the title from.

The day Joe died, ESPN repeatedly aired an interview Louis gave which appeared to have been given during the mid to late 1970s. In it, Joe mentioned Schmeling as being "a good counter puncher," but then said with great interest and emphasis that, "Billy Conn had it all!" (It bears pointing out that Billy was himself a lineal champion at 175, during a time when that title holder was considered a top contender for the heavyweight title as often as not.) The death of Louis is the earliest big story I vividly remember ESPN covering, although it was also the lead news item for all three major networks.

By February 1951, Walcott had yet to become champion, something he would achieve in July of that year. To rate him higher in 1964 would also be a way for Louis to elevate himself. I'm inclined to take the 1951 ratings, when the competition was fresher in Joe's mind, as perhaps more sincere. As has already been inferred, I don't think he appreciated the elusive tactics of Walcott and Godoy. (Fight me like a MAN, dammit!:bbb)

Max Baer's potential was through the roof, and he did give Joe some hell in those first two rounds during what Louis always identified as his peak performance.

His consistently high marks for Carnera are intriguing. Louis did have some early trouble negotiating Primo's jab, and he couldn't keep the big man down, any more than a prime Sharkey and Baer could. This was at a time when other opponents were simply folding up at the mere thought of stepping in the ring with Joe. Carnera made an honest effort to compete, and Louis seems to have respected that.

 

I think Dick Tiger would second that. He said something similar after his third fight with Giardello, if I remember right.