Joe Louis was "slow"?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by reznick, Mar 6, 2011.


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  1. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    How come I always hear people say that Lois was a bit slow in the head? Is there any truth to this? I dont see it at all..


    When I watch interviews with him, his answers are sharp and witty.

    I saw one recently where Jim Jacobs is interviewing Liston before the Ali bout, then Louis comes on the stage, and the way he was talking made Liston sound like he was illiterate.W hen I was watching I thought to myself, how could people say he was...slow?


    Funny sidenote: Jacbos looked intimidated when talking to Liston, and Liston was giving kind of quick and snappy answers per usual. But then when Louis came on the stage, he put his arm around Jacobs the entire time, and all of a sudden Jim Jacobs was asking Liston questions with a new found confidence. :lol:
     
    reznick, Mar 6, 2011
    reznick, Mar 6, 2011
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  2. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    I think he might have just been a bit camera shy.

    I thought this was another Louis footspeed thread:-:)lol:
     
    Swarmer, Mar 6, 2011
    Swarmer, Mar 6, 2011
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  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I think that Louis was a lot smarter than given credit for.

    The fact that he had a stammer obviously didn't help.
     
    janitor, Mar 6, 2011
    janitor, Mar 6, 2011
    #3
  4. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    It depends when you saw the interview. Some fighters suffer from metal problems due to boxing. I believe Louis had some type of learning disability.
     
    Mendoza, Mar 6, 2011
    Mendoza, Mar 6, 2011
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  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    He was classified as special needs, but back then anything like a stammer or dyslexia would get you thrown in the special needs bin.
     
    janitor, Mar 6, 2011
    janitor, Mar 6, 2011
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  6. Hydraulix

    Hydraulix Left Hook From Hell.. Full Member

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    Go to 8:18 in this clip. They discuss how Joe actually went to a school for "slow learners."

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt7j2bzUNOQ[/ame]

    I think Joe was just a little slow at taking in information, is all. As someone else said, his stuttering and deadpan speaking only made him sound worse. He was actually very intelligent and witty, but I can see why people would think he's a little "off."
     
    Hydraulix, Mar 6, 2011
    Hydraulix, Mar 6, 2011
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  7. goat15

    goat15 Active Member Full Member

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    maybe... but he always just seemed pretty chilled out and blunt to me.
     
    goat15, Mar 6, 2011
    goat15, Mar 6, 2011
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  8. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Again? HAd this already in the past. Quite a long thread too if I remember right.
     
    bodhi, Mar 6, 2011
    bodhi, Mar 6, 2011
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  9. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    What was the general census bodhi? Do you remember by any chance?


    I'll have the Louis Liston interview uploaded tomorrow which made it hard for me to believe he was slow, with a few other goodies :)

    One clip includes Dempsey getting knocked out. Im not even kidding. Check the forums tomorrow, and you'll see! :)
     
    reznick, Mar 6, 2011
    reznick, Mar 6, 2011
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  10. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Same as here so far, I think. Was quite a while back.

    I always under the impression that he wasn´t slow but had to think about everything he said due to the role he played in public. Thus he came along slower than he really was.
     
    bodhi, Mar 6, 2011
    bodhi, Mar 6, 2011
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  11. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Louis had average foot movement, but he owned a good one, two shuffle to get inside... However, on the whole, Louis' foot speed was normal...

    But, say what you all want, Louis had fast hands and great combos' that were accurate and hard...

    MR.BILL:hat
     
    MRBILL, Mar 6, 2011
    MRBILL, Mar 6, 2011
    #11
  12. El Bujia

    El Bujia Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    ^:lol:
     
    El Bujia, Mar 6, 2011
    El Bujia, Mar 6, 2011
    #12
  13. MRBILL

    MRBILL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    You don't really think Louis was a speed demon on his feet do you?:roll:

    MR.BILL:bbb
     
    MRBILL, Mar 7, 2011
    MRBILL, Mar 7, 2011
    #13
  14. DonBoxer

    DonBoxer The Lion! Full Member

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    I think he is lacking behind the average man but i wouldnt say he is "slow".
    His stammer and lack of confidence when talking put him off making him sound like he is thinking about what he says more than most would have to.
     
    DonBoxer, Mar 7, 2011
    DonBoxer, Mar 7, 2011
    #14
  15. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    1. No Louis was not slow on his feet. He wasn´t fleet footed and fought with his feet planted. Doesn´t mean he was slow.

    2. You didn´t quite get the intention of this thread, did ya?
     
    bodhi, Mar 7, 2011
    bodhi, Mar 7, 2011
    #15
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