Should Louis' record title reign come with an asterisk due to WWII inactivity?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ChrisPontius, Aug 19, 2017.


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  1. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    I doubt his eleven-year record will ever be broken, but it shouldn't be overlooked that he basically didn't defend his title for four of those years. Between 1942 and 1946, no one could challenge for the heavyweight championship. I don't really think Louis can be blamed for that, but the fact of the matter is he defended his title during a seven year period.

    He did lose some of his best years during that time, so to say his reign was strictly seven years long would be selling him short.

    (He did have many three-round exhibitions during WWII, one of which was strangely ruled to be for the title.)
     
    ChrisPontius, Aug 19, 2017
    ChrisPontius, Aug 19, 2017
    #1
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  2. Radrook

    Radrook Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Why should an imposed government limit on activity be held against any fighter? Should Ali's inactivity also imposed by the government but for different reasons also affect the evaluation of him as boxer?
     
    Radrook, Aug 19, 2017
    Radrook, Aug 19, 2017
    #2
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    The counterargument would be that Louis's record was also harmed by the war.

    He was arguably at his absolute peak when he went into the army, and the available opposition wasn't earth shattering.

    If Mr and Mrs Hitler had not decided on an early night, then he might have been the only lineal champion to have 30+ title defenses.
     
    janitor, Aug 19, 2017
    janitor, Aug 19, 2017
    #3
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  4. edward morbius

    edward morbius Boxing Addict Full Member

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    No.

    I can't see anyone being docked because WW2 interrupted their careers.

    Had Louis simply sat on the title for years (as Dempsey did) then I think you would have a point.
     
    edward morbius, Aug 19, 2017
    edward morbius, Aug 19, 2017
    #4
  5. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

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    Its certainly not Joe's fault, though it is worth noting for the sake of evaluating the length of reign. 4 years of not being able to fight top opposition is a boon for maximizing that.

    I can guarantee you that if WWIII hit, with similar consequences, and that gap resulted in Holmes or Wlad eclipsing the Joe's reign, we'd see it mentioned.
     
    Rock0052, Aug 19, 2017
    Rock0052, Aug 19, 2017
    #5
  6. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Did he kill anyone during the war?
     
    JackSilver, Aug 19, 2017
    JackSilver, Aug 19, 2017
    #6
  7. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    I'm not saying he should be docked. I'm saying he shouldn't get credit for nothing, which is currently the case. Dempsey holding the title hostage for three years and avoiding the clear #1 contender is a disgrace, and should by considered as such in assessing his greatness.

    He already gets credit for still being champion during that period, giving him the longest reign in history in any weight class. Pretty high accolade.

    Yes, in fact, that's already the case:
    WBC heavyweight champion (1964–69, 1974–78)
     
    ChrisPontius, Aug 19, 2017
    ChrisPontius, Aug 19, 2017
    #7
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  8. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Hell no.
    He was only gone for two years.

    Also he had 26 defenses. So he is longest reigning by ever measure.
     
    reznick, Aug 19, 2017
    reznick, Aug 19, 2017
    #8
  9. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Only a couple of MPs who racially abused him.
     
    janitor, Aug 19, 2017
    janitor, Aug 19, 2017
    #9
  10. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What was Louis? In some pics he looks more mixed race than black.
     
    JackSilver, Aug 19, 2017
    JackSilver, Aug 19, 2017
    #10
  11. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    Should MLB add 200 home runs to Ted Williams records because he spent 5 of his prime
    years in the military?

    No, and no.
     
    FrankinDallas, Aug 19, 2017
    FrankinDallas, Aug 19, 2017
    #11
  12. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You can only lose the hwt championship in the ring so Joe was hwt champion for the entire duration.
     
    Perry, Aug 19, 2017
    Perry, Aug 19, 2017
    #12
  13. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali was world hwt champion from the time he beat Liston in 1964 until he retired in February of 1970.

    Ali regained that world hwt championship title in 1974 by beating Foreman (who was thought to be unbeatable at that time). He kept that title until he lost to Spinks in 1978.

    Ali rewon that worlds hwt championship seven months later from Spinks and then retired soon after.
     
    Perry, Aug 19, 2017
    Perry, Aug 19, 2017
    #13
  14. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson Fury reign as champ is getting longer every day, then.
     
    JackSilver, Aug 19, 2017
    JackSilver, Aug 19, 2017
    #14
  15. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Lose = Beaten

    Fury retired thus ending his title reign.
     
    Perry, Aug 19, 2017
    Perry, Aug 19, 2017
    #15
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