Contemporary views on the Louis that faced Marciano

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Seamus, Apr 3, 2021.


  1. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Lots of American newspapers regularly ran stories and opinion columns about boxing back then. Thousands and thousands of pieces a year in total. Marciano got quite a bit of attention and coverage by mid-1951, and many of these stories referred to him as “crude.” Often with no elaboration—throwaway lines like “the crude former GI” or “the crude power puncher” or “the crude former shoe worker.” Seems like everyone just took it for granted. I doubt anyone ever batted an eye over it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2021
  2. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yeah, let's make old Louis the worst fighter ever to make Rocky worse... Seriously, saying that Louis outboxed Rocky for a while in their fight means nothing. Louis was past prime all-time great with more experience than anyone, he could outbox most fighters throughout history for a while.
     
  3. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    Wow! Another Baiter thread!

    somebody ought to take a look at the names of the guys starting and bumping these things
     
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  4. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    I wouldn't call it bumping as the thread was only started Saturday.

    How is it baiting when quoting contemporary views?
     
  5. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    People should start looking at the guy who spends all those yrs constantly berating and downgrading Liston, Foreman and Williams.

    There is a vast number of threads that could be bumped highlighting this, a vast number.

    Now tell me.....
    What's the difference between starting a thread and being accused of baiting and yourself poisoning an existing one with negative comment after negative comment, constantly, year in year out if the intention is not baiting.?

    For once, look in the mirror before accusing others of baiting.
     
  6. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    joe Louis was the betting favourite... yet somebody decides to unearth every prediction for Marciano winning without balancing it with any of the (contemporary) contrasting views that support Louis being the betting favourite?

    I wonder why?
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2021
  7. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    I see you avoided the bumping part......
     
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  8. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    I already addressed it.
     
  9. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    The two greatest heavyweights who ever stepped on earth weren’t sure if they could beat Rocky in their prime.

    Yet I’m supposed to believe some modernists who talk about Rocky as if he kicked their dog? That’s a no from me.
     
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  10. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I agree that bookies odds are a good guide when you're looking at historical fights, but not, ever where a legendary heavy is concerned.

    The majority of ring experts picked Jack Johnson to beat Jim Jeffries, but Jim Jeffires was a betting favourite.

    The majority of ring experts picked Lennox lewis to beat Mike Tyson, but in America, Mike Tyson was the betting favourite.

    If the majority of ring experts thought Joe Louis was done, he could still very easily be the betting favourite. As he was.
     
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  11. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    It’s a theory. Is there Any basis for the “majority” of experts thinking this ahead of Louis v Marciano?

    I guess nobody thought Louis was going to be champion again, but what really did Marciano have going for him before meeting Louis?
     
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2021
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    No.

    What's your theory for all the data that's been collected here being a "minority opinion"?
     
  13. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    Thought so.
     
  14. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    :lol:
     
  15. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Why is it that Marciano threads always make you feel like you are addressing a group of naughty little boys?

    I will give you my take for whatever it is worth.

    Was Louis shot when this fight happened?

    Yes, but in his prime he had been the greatest heavyweight who had ever lived by a very considerable margin, so even a past prime or shot version of Louis is still something.

    Does Louis being shot render the win worthless?

    No it must be considered worth at least as much as Louis's ranking would dictate, and it must also be noted that Louis had only lost to Ezzard Charles in the last fifteen years.

    You also have to ask how many other heavyweights of the day could have beaten this version of Louis.