Does Anyone Pick Joe Louis to beat Ali

Peak vs. peak I pick Ali in 15 rounds of hell for both of them but I would not wager one imaginary shilling on this imaginary fight. I have them 1/2 on my ATG list and that inherently means it could go either way.

 

I actually think the early 70s Ali would have a better chance. He was more rugged, stronger, seemed to hit harder and could absorb punishment like no one's business.

 

Would you wager a shekel?

 

Imaginary

 

I don’t think I would wager a hapenny because I am absolutely not confident in my pick. Joe Louis was a hellacious prize fighter in his prime, like a five tool player in baseball.

 

Well that's not something I altogether discount myself. He was much harder to hit. But then again, Louis was extremely economical, so that would level the playing field to some degree I would imagine. Part of my conclusion that he could knock out 60s Ali was based on Ali's real lack of experience in long and/or grueling fights.

 

Down on the cards, and having his face puff up, Louis in the 14th round comes out strong, and knocks Ali out for the ten count with a 6 punch combo. Ali daze tries to get up but is short. When reporters later ask Louis how he did it, he said, "Clay can run, but he cant hide".

 

Cassius Clay is forever young. Sealed at 22 yo.

A “young” Cassius Clay reasonably interpreted as even younger again.

Louis’ precise technical executions, power and own lightning speed would provide for an interesting contrast and challenge to Ali’s own less than conventional practices.

However, I still view Ali himself as having possessed a good measure of technical abilities also - abilities perhaps over sighted due to his more eye catching athletic manoeuvres.

I’ve always rated Joe’s chances higher than most - and I have to wonder how much Ali’s own biased narrative re his superiority over Joe has influenced fans opinions of this match up.

 

Yes. I think Joe Louis can beat Ali (prime for prime) but I also think Ali would win the rematch as well as the third fight.

 

Joe Louis did.

 

What a rematch as both are absolute KINGS of the rematch scenario.

 

I shall sit squarely on the fence and say the outcome would most definitely not be a certainty prior to the bout.

Imagine the revenue that would be generated for such a bout.

 

I'd pick Louis over every boxer to exist in the ring ever on his best night.