Inspired by Holmes77's post on Holmes-Ali. We all know that an old Joe Louis got beaten by a prime Rocky Marciano. What is the oldest version of Joe do you all feel could beat Rocky? In my opinion we would have to go back to 1942. Anytime after that Marciano wins.
Rocky is always going to be a tough out for a Louis, Ali, or Holmes. It doesn't mean those guys can't whup him. I believe Joe said that Rocky could have beat the best version of him but I'm not entirely sure about my recollection.
1935-1942 Louis beats him definitely 1946 Louis who fought tami mauriello has a 50-50 shot. “Last time I felt like my old self” said Louis 1947-1948 Louis has a punchers chance but I favor Marciano. Louis still was a good fighter in 1950, but he deteriorated badly from 1948 to 1950
If you like Louis to beat a prime Marciano, then he probably beats him the day that he joins the army. That simplifies the argument considerably. Then it comes down to a question, of whether any post war version of Louis beats Marciano. I lean towards no, but it is a complex question. After the war, Louis hit the ground running, with two quick knockouts, that don't tell us that much. It is pretty clear how good Louis was when he beat Buddy Baer, and when he went life and death with Joe Walcott twice. How good was he was in the Conn rematch, or when he stopped Mauriellio? Hard to say.
Most likely up to 1941, since Louis was still in great shape, very active, and still had Blackburn. Afterwards Louis just wasn’t active enough for me to see him being sharp enough to beat Marciano.
Great question. Hadn’t really thought about this before but yours is a more than reasonable answer. Yeah, funny when some fighters are quoted (and there’s no reason not to believe they said it) giving advantage to a later Champion over themselves. As to whether they truly believe it? - I would guess confidently NO. Any proven ATG will always have supreme belief in themselves - never entertaining defeat and that unyielding mentality is also proven when they sadly fight behind their best. Joe clearly liked Rock and visa versa - imo, just being courteous and polite - and I’m sure the Rock would’ve understood that also. Nice breakdown and finer calibration of Louis’ progressive deterioration and related lessening chances vs Rocky over the ensuing years. One of my favourite Louis fights to watch. Punching perfection. Not just the transmitted force of the shots but the punches literally appear to detonate on impact! Some nice in close shots during that fight, particularly relative to the era. I hear Smooth Legends might be prepping the Louis vs Godoy 2 match - nice quality to begin with so it should look very cool after Legend’s treatment. Now that’s a fight that exemplified Joe’s ability to adjust and fight inside - against a very awkward, up close and personal customer. And those Louis punches vs Godoy ?- many travelling just inches yet making Godoy “dance”, literally wrenching him up on to his toes and shifting him this way and that. Unreal.
Well I think he’s still got it in him to dust the Rock in 1945-46? In his prime it’s not a question of IF he’d beat the Rock but WHEN. Marcianos nightmare is a young Louis, well anyones nightmare really.
Prime vs Prime will be argue until the end of time, but your right, Louis clearly like Rocky. Marciano has just died in the plane crash and Louis had some impressive comments on Rocky. This content is protected
