Which heavyweight With an iron chin ,would give "prime Joe Louis"the most trouble?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Jul 6, 2025.

  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    As it says?
    The obvious top answer is probably Ali so exclude him.
     
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  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Evander Holyfield would have been trouble for Joe Louis I think. Charles is the fighter that most puts me in mind of Holyfield and Charles was able to badly take advantage of a past-prime version (while past-prime himself). Add Holyfield's chin and size and Louis is in for a very difficult night indeed.
     
  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    It may not be a popular answer but maybe Oliver McCall or Ray Mercer could give him difficult fights, they could probably absorb the best of Joe's shots and fire back.
    Certainly not getting wiped out early, either of those two.
     
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  4. Maginot

    Maginot Member banned Full Member

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    Vitali would probably hammer him over 15
     
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  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I will hazard a guess that Arturo Godoy might have given him problems.
     
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  6. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ike Ibeabuchi. Sounds like a dumb pick but has size, power, and volume. Long night for Joe.
     
  7. Spreadeagle

    Spreadeagle Active Member Full Member

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    It's by no means a dumb pick.Despite Joe Louis's greatness Ibeabuchi could have given Joe hell.
     
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  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    We tend to view the first Louis Simon fight as a one sided beatdown, and it basically was.

    However Louis said that it was one of the hardest fights of his career, and that Simon hurt him with everything that he hit him with.

    Obviously that woudl have made for a very long night.

    Men like Louis don't find it easy, they just make it look easy.

    So yes, that might be a good call.
     
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  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Homes, Holyfield and Tyson would all be very hard fights for Joe Louis. Would any of them beat him ? I don’t know.
     
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  10. SwarmingSlugger

    SwarmingSlugger Active Member Full Member

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    I think Dempsey, Marciano, Tyson, Holyfield, Holmes and Ali of course all tough fights for Louis. But he comes out ahead overall IMO. Probably add Liston too and Foreman as well.
     
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  11. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    I think the best version of Evander Holyfield would be a tough fight for anybody, including Joe louis.
     
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  12. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Jimmy Young.
     
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  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Holyfield would push every fighter he faced.
    They all had to be their best to beat him.
     
  14. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    Holyfield, Ibeabuchi and Young are names that I think would be KO’d by Louis, namely Holyfield that’s a guy I think JL would have a good time with he’s too eager for his own good.
     
  15. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Vitali is the obvious choice for me.

    He is similar to louis in that he likes to keep his balance and that he doesn't really overcommit himself. Louis would have problems with Vitali beyond the fact that he has an iron chin. His vast size means that Louis has to get inside to be effective, and Vitali's use of counterpunching and bodysway is going to make things rough for Joe. Of course Louis has more speed, and that would certainly help. But Vitali has a great sense of timing which means Louis is going to get tagged too. Down the stretch I think Vits is simply too freaking big and too busy for Louis to handle.
     
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