More skilled: Ali or Louis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Jul 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM.


Who’s more skilled?

  1. Joe Louis

    21 vote(s)
    91.3%

  2. Muhammad Ali

    2 vote(s)
    8.7%
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  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Is Louis too much of a primitive bum to be compared to an unbeatable 70s chad like Ali? Has the game evolved?
     
    Melankomas, Jul 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
    Melankomas, Jul 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
    #1
  2. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    No Ali wasn't more skilled. He was a unique talent hadn't really been seen before or since in a fighter that size. His mobility was God given.

    Joe Louis punching technique as well as his combinations and timing would be impossible to evolve from IMO. Close to perfection.

    Closest i can think of all these years later was Alexis Arguello. He was a mini Louis but i can't say he was better than the original.

    They were both unique talents
     
    ETM, Jul 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
    ETM, Jul 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
    #2
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  3. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Louis....it's not even close
     
    robert ungurean, Jul 31, 2025 at 3:47 AM
    robert ungurean, Jul 31, 2025 at 3:47 AM
    #3
  4. FighterInTheWind

    FighterInTheWind Active Member Full Member

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    This is the same deal as the Ali vs. Usyk thread on skills. Louis had more textbook boxing "skills"; Ali would win in a match, because his physical gifts would overwhelm Louis' skills.
     
    FighterInTheWind, Jul 31, 2025 at 4:33 AM
    FighterInTheWind, Jul 31, 2025 at 4:33 AM
    #4
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  5. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali had better footwork, but when it comes to outright punching?? No one tops Louis.
     
    Dempsey1238, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:01 AM
    Dempsey1238, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:01 AM
    #5
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  6. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Louis is probably the most skilled heavyweight of all time barring Usyk.
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:13 AM
    MaccaveliMacc, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:13 AM
    #6
  7. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Skilled =/= better. Floyd Patterson was more skilled than Sonny Liston. How did that work out for The Rabbit?
     
    ThatOne, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:48 AM
    ThatOne, Jul 31, 2025 at 5:48 AM
    #7
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  8. themaster458

    themaster458 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Louis easily at least most people can acknowledge that unlike the Usyk poll..............
     
    themaster458, Jul 31, 2025 at 6:00 AM
    themaster458, Jul 31, 2025 at 6:00 AM
    #8
    FighterInTheWind likes this.
  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    They were extremely skilled and talented. But two completely different styles
     
    mr. magoo, Jul 31, 2025 at 6:21 AM
    mr. magoo, Jul 31, 2025 at 6:21 AM
    #9
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  10. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    Even without the exile I doubt Ali would have defended the title 25 times; like Louis (Ali defended the title 9 times)...
     
    ikrasevic, Jul 31, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    ikrasevic, Jul 31, 2025 at 7:07 AM
    #10
  11. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Conventionally, Louis.

    The whole package, Ali.
     
    PRW94, Jul 31, 2025 at 7:10 AM
    PRW94, Jul 31, 2025 at 7:10 AM
    #11
  12. FighterInTheWind

    FighterInTheWind Active Member Full Member

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    Not only does "skilled" not always equate to "better," but it does not even always equate to "outboxing your way to a decision" either. Plenty of Ali and Jones' opponents looked silly even though likely-better skilled. Speed and at times reach overcome skills even in a purely jab-throwing chess contest.
     
    FighterInTheWind, Jul 31, 2025 at 9:36 AM
    FighterInTheWind, Jul 31, 2025 at 9:36 AM
    #12
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  13. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    Speed, Reflexes, Intimidation, and Punch Resistance = Muhammad Ali.
    Style, Skill, Power, and Punch Combinations = Joe Louis.
    Focus, Stamina, Heart, and Ring Smarts = Equal.
     
    Shay Sonya, Jul 31, 2025 at 10:35 AM
    Shay Sonya, Jul 31, 2025 at 10:35 AM
    #13
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  14. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Also, Size = Muhammad Ali. Size may not be a skill, but the inevitable question lurking in the background is who would win a matchup, and I think size would be a determining factor.
     
    KasimirKid, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM
    KasimirKid, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM
    #14
    Shay Sonya likes this.
  15. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    Good point! I also look at the size of elite Heavyweights they beat, as in how did they handle large, good opponents.
     
    Shay Sonya, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:24 AM
    Shay Sonya, Jul 31, 2025 at 11:24 AM
    #15
    KasimirKid likes this.
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