Lennox Lewis. How is Louis gonna get near him? He’s not gonna be able to back him up, he’s around 40-50lbs lighter, and then Lewis is potentially the greatest at being able to maximise physical advantages, how would Louis realistically get near him? He can’t get Lewis into a position where lewis can’t move away, like a corner, so since he’d be backing up himself, his own counters would be falling short, since Lewis would be jabbing, varying how he jabs etc, making it difficult to time, and when Louis tries to counter, Lewis would be able to pole and make him fall short.
Louis was only 1-2cm shorter than Rahman and McCall, but they had a 6 inch reach advantage over The Brown Bomber Louis would have a harder time cutting the ring and getting to Lennox, but considering McCall and Rahman could, why the arguably most skilled and bestest heavyweight that has ever walked this earth couldn't also replicate that? Louis stops him the first time around in the mid rounds, wins a hard fought decision against a motivated Lennox the second time around
Oh, boy. Bring me Lewis' lowest moments versus Louis' best. That's the an honest approach. All I know is that Lewis beat far, far better competition in a head to head sense than did Joe Louis. He was just functionally a more proven heavyweight due to the level of competition he fought. Lewis KO9.
We have seen that weight and size is a HUGE advantage when fighting Joe. Primo Carnera had amazing success with the 4 inch shorter, 9 inch less reach, and 64 1/2 lbs lighter Joe. Did I say "amazing success" I meant to say "little success" and Joe did a good job countering off the back foot. (Granted Lewis is better than Carnera)
It’s up for grabs for me . An early knockout win would be beneficial for either combatant for whoever can get it
Simple. He will stalk him in a very low crouch, not offering any target of significance, and force Lewis to work downhill. Then he will strike like a cobra.
How will he get Lewis on the backfoot though? Lewis is much heavier and taller, he can hit Louis from further out and with stiffening punches, Louis will be forced to go backwards, if Louis tries to go on the front foot, Lewis will take a step back and clinch or potentially walk Louis onto uppercuts that force Louis to either back up or go down.
And Schmeling came close to Louis, but isn’t as good as Lewis, except that’s not the reason I’m picking Lewis.