Joe Louis Facing The Big Hitters From Ali's Era..?

Louis got dropped but almost always came back to pulverize his opponents fairly easily

 

Louis never faced the size and ability of the top 20 of Ali’s era. Part of the reason is that you have to remember the top black fighters weren’t able to fight for the title before the war so never fully developed. Frazier would have beaten anyone joe ever beat. This would be Louis’ best chance to beat a top 5 or 6 fighter from Ali’s era. Frazier Louis I think would be a war that Louis could win especially the heavier version of early forties. Still my odds are only 6/5 Louis.
But without the proper game plan Frazier buzz saws him and stops him in 9 or 10. Using upper cuts and guarding against the left hook the key for Louis.
Foreman and Liston would have been too big and strong. With Joes power and combinations they could have been explosive wars. I would have to think it would be short as Joe only knew how to move forward. But this wouldn’t be Buddy Bear or Primo Joe was wading right into. There is big factor which was first time Joe was easier then Joe the second time around. If first time Joe walks in against those 2 Joe is KOd badly in less then 5 after possibly some fireworks.

 

Agree.
Frazier coming in low perhaps could force Louis back on his heels taking away his leverage. Louis could still possibly stop Joe Frazier its an interesting fight.

Foreman would be a bad position against the Brown Bomber. George's own words as a commentator "never follow a puncher around". Foreman has no other way to fight. Without good head movement Im afraid George would be walking into a bee's nest. Louis had too much speed, accuracy, and power from both sides.

 

Sonny Liston would be tougher than Foreman. Sonny could box and showed some patience in setting up his attack. His lefthook was as good as Louis's. His is jab even better than Joe's.

 

No. They all KO him.

 

Liston KOs Louis.

 

They would all pose dangerous threats. But I think Louis’s technique, fast hands, power and stamina could potentially lead to victory against all of them.. Again, none of this is a given. Men like Foreman, Frazier and Liston should always be given a chance against anyone.

 

The key for victory against Liston would be for Louis to get past Liston’s 84” jab and then cause havoc on the inside with combinations. This is something I believe he can achieve but it would be an extremely difficult and dangerous proposition.

 

Just recently somebody uploaded the Louis/Galento fight which I have not watched in years.

IMO, Louis looks very poor in that one, he is flat footed,rather stiff, paws with the jab and just looks to unload without setting anything up first, he is getting wobbled , hurt and ultimately knocked down vs a obese fighter who has his feet stuck in cement, never heard of head movement, never heard of a jab, was blowing like a walrus after the first round with his mouth wide open, non existing defense except bending forward begging for a uppercut yet still got to Louis with wild wiiiiddde telegraphed hooks.

I would be amazed if Galento makes it out of the first round vs Foreman or Liston and not a chance in hell they would hit the deck or would get hurt , same with Frazier, he would make quick mince meat out of Galento.

 

Galento was a horrible physical specimen with a crude fighting style. He was also very public about his bad lifestyle habits - smoking cigars, drinking booze and terrible eating habits. On the surface he resembled nothing like a professional athlete let alone world class boxing contender.. but for all his shortcomings he hit very hard. Was extremely awkward. Fought dirty. And seemingly wasn’t intimidated by anyone. There were some brief moments where he indeed made Louis look bad. Even decked him. But Joe managed to adjust and stop him round four. To your point, I agree that both Liston and Foreman probably have a much easier time with Galento than Louis did but for stylistic reasons. They would most likely batter him from mid range rather than battle him on the inside which plays into galento’s hands. As for Frazier I think it may take time for him to wear Galento down and he might have to take some big shots along the way

 

I agree Galento had balls and fighting spirit but he still was poor beyond poor yet still floored Louis.............he is not even in the zipcode or country code in relation to Liston/Frazier and Foreman and one more time, IMO, Louis looked sub par vs a completely over matched foe which makes me question how he would fare vs future Heavyweight champs, Clay/ Ali would absolutely toy with Galento,Tyson/Bowe would send his head into the 50th row, etc etc .

 

Fair

 

Like the Lyle bout ?

 

I think Louis destroys Foreman ... Liston would be the challenge .. other than that the challenge would be Ali with his size and speed ...