Ezzard Chrarles vs Joe Louis, Rematch in 1951

Joe was very very good in return bouts but he was at the tail end of an incredible career

 

I think Charles would probably be favoured again.

 

I think the average judges scorecard was 11-4 Charles IIRC.

 

Louis was too far gone by then for a brilliant Charles.

 

Rather than Louis fighting Marciano in 1951, I would've preferred a Louis-Walcott rubber match for the title.

Jersey Joe knocked out Charles in July 1951, one month after Louis beat Savold.

Louis fought Marciano in October and got KOed.

Louis could've scrapped the Marciano fight if Walcott had made his first defense against Louis.

 

Charles again.
Might even stop him This time.

 

Same result again probably.

I also think that Walcott would have beaten him if they had met for a third time.

All great fighters eventually reach the point where they are no longer the best in the world, and Louis had reached that point.

 

Louis had been very active and was arguably better than he had been in 1950, while Charles was arguably starting on the downhill trail as would be evidenced by his subsequent defeats at the hands of a 36-year-old Walcott. Nonetheless, Joe's doctor pointed out as early as 1948 that his right hand reflexes were shot and his reliance on his left hand substantiates this, so I'd still favor Ezzard. But it would not have been a foregone conclusion.

 

Louis only had his jab left at that point, repeat

 

Undoubtably so. Ezzard would be an even more clear cut winner next time.

 

Louis would later say he made a mistake not having a few tuneup bouts prior to fighting Charles. Louis had not fought in over two years when he stepped into the ring that night. One must conclude that Louis would have been sharper with several tuneup bouts.

 

Louis lost the ability to hit with the same power. See the Marciano fight. He was beating fringe contenders but most by decision. Guys he would have iced in a few rounds in his prime. Charles would still have been as good or close as in the first Louis fight so he would have repeated a UD. Louis would have been that much older so don’t think the rematch improvement would have figured in.
Let’s also remember pre war prime Louis never fought fighters as good as Charles and Walcott. After the war he basically lost to both of them as Walcott was robbed in first fight. In his prime he would have had more quickness and power but the 1947 Walcott and 1950 Charles would have been the best competition he ever faced.

 

The issue with Louis right was that he lost his speed and timing. He would say later that he saw the openings but could no longer pull the trigger.