This is how Louis ranked them, around 1975 ..... (He's polite enough to leave himself off the list) 1. Jack Dempsey 2. Rocky Marciano & Jack Johnson (tied) 4. Muhammad Ali 5. Sonny Liston 6. Gene Tunney
Unforgiven, interesting post and I have read some quotes from Joe that would be along these lines. Both Jack and he stated that Rocky hit harder then either of them. I'm a little suprised of Ali here though as he didn't seem to be that impressed by him.
liston in his prime was a force of nature, no doubt, but his resume was poor to be even top 10. dempsey number 1 is a complete joke. tuney the 6 other joke, and ali the 4 lol. my list (according their careers,rivals,legacy, not who would win) 1_ali 2_joe louis 3_larry holmes 4_rocky marciano 5_george foreman 6_evander holyfield 7_joe frazier 8_jack jonhson 9_jack dempsey 10_lennox lewis
I think Louis was impressed, just not mystified the way the average sports fan was. When the first round of Liston vs Ali 1 was over, Louis called it one of the greatest rounds in heavyweight history as a broadcaster.
I disagree with Louis on round 1 of Ali Liston 1. I dont think its up there with Marciano Walcott I, Dempsey Firpo, Dempsey Willard or any of these 1 round burners that happen pre 1963 or so.
The kid has speed and theres no one around to outbox him, and the opponent who tries is in his grave. Especially in the middle if the ring. Id see to it that Clay didnt stay in ring center. No. Hed be hit into those ropes as near a corner as I could get him. If he stayed on the ropes he would get hurt. Sooner or later hed try to bounce off, when he did he would get hurt more. Id press him, cut down his speed, and bang him around the ribs. Id punish the body. Kill the body and the head will die, Chappie use to tell me. It figures. Sooner or later hed forget about that face of his and he would start dropping that left hand like he did against Mildenberger and Chuvalo. Those fellows got their openings by accident, and fouled it up. I would work for it and wouldnt reckon to miss when it arrived. Cassius Clay is a nice boy and a smart fighter. But I am sure Joe Louis would have licked him. -Joe Louis
There is no doubt in my mind Joe Louis was right on target. Just watch the young coil spring puncher in action. Ali never faced a murderous hitter who punched in blurring combinations [if needed]. His punches NUMBED you ! As with Bob Pastor, and Billy Conn, he would eventually catch up to Ali and finish him off. Ali had a great chin ,but never faced a prime joe Louis... Come to think of it, who has ?
I'd also like to see Ali against someone as good at the feint game as Louis. The guy was really good at feinting a man in and out of position and then slaying. as for Schmeling, how many dudes are in their prime in their 23rd pro fight?
When a guy comes of two wins over Carnera and Baer and goes on to annhilate Sharkey in his next fight, he very much is in his prime.
a lot of people assumes that baer fight was louis's peak.he was in his prime against schmelling,no doubt