How Joe Louis Would Have Beaten Muhammad Ali!

Good post, especially great composite puncher part. :good

 

But Ali was not the only mover who troubled Liston, even though his extreme speed of course compounded the trouble, to say the least.

Prime Ali's speed is going to give everyone problems, but Marciano, Frazier and even Foreman, Tyson and Dempsey were better suited stylistically for it than Louis and Liston IMO.

 

I was referring to Louis and Liston. They're not in the same stylistic bracket IMO.

 

As great as the article is, it's one sided. It's all about what Louis could do against Ali. I'd respect the conclusion more if it touched on what Ali could do to Louis in return. Fights are often won by the guy who takes it moreso than dishing it out. Ali was never stopped anywhere near his prime. Louis was stopped by Schmeling pretty near his prime IMO. Also, Ken Norton wasn't dealing with the best version of Ali, nor was Doug Jones. I don't think you can make an absolute prediction with these guys, but I'd take Ali to win 7 of 10. I think Louis would get hit with jabs and right hands from unforeseen angles.

 

I think they're reasonably similar. Especially in the way they liked to set themselves and follow their man in pretty straight lines. I'd have them both in the quite wide category boxer-punchers.

 

If you're going to mention them, you also have to mention Schmeling, Godoy, Farr, Conn and Walcott on Louis' part. And if you bring up Banks and Cooper you should also bring up Braddock, Galento and Buddy Baer.

 

Although I do not really consider Cox to have a great opinion he does bring about some good quotes from experts and it is a good article. Ali was made above man by many but mostly non-boxing people. Ali had many flaws but his strengths helped him overcome them. There is a big difference in combination punching power with a great jab and the ability to go to the body then the likes of slow and ponderous Foreman and Liston who were not known for late power. I always thought Louis would be a hard fight for Ali and always rated Louis # 1 Heavyweight ATG. Still it is very hard to predict what would happen with a matter of styles.

The men that could stop or beat Ali were Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano...Dempsey had a short prime and did not really prove late stamina but like Frazier possessed the hook needed

Good Article

 

I like Ali in this match up. If Louis can fight a more perfect fight than Ali, he could win. But when you have to say that, it's usually better to go with the other guy.

Louis's best asset is his ability carry a punch late into the fight and to put punches together. If Ali's gassing a bit in the double digit rounds, Louis's chances go up.

 

Exactly, definitely agree with the Liston comparison.

 

I agree. While they're at least similar in the way they got off, and while Liston is more ploddy and even slower Louis should still deal with some of the same problems (And while Liston was slower, his jab was much more longer too. Something Ali wouldn't have to deal with).

 

I think Joe would definitely beat a past it Ali and prime Louis could possibly beat post-exile Ali but there's no way in hell he'd beat '64-'66 Ali.

 

I have huge respect for both guys but for me prime Ali takes this one either by decision or possibly late-rounds TKO through accumulation of punches.

Joe Louis was pretty easy to hit and Ali would hit him often due to his superior hand speed, footwork and elusiveness. Louis would be seriously discouraged after 10 or 12 rounds of this and though he may have a chance of a late-rounds KO himself if the fight went the distance, more than likely this is a very slim chance.

The Ali of '64-'66 is certainly one of the very greatest H2H heavyweights in history, while for me Joe Louis is slightly overrated in this category as his opposition was not as high-calibre as Ali's despite his incredible reign as champ. Stylistically, Tyson and Jack Johnson, among others, have a better chance of beating a prime Ali than Joe Louis does.

Would have been great to see this fight though, whatever the outcome.

 

I agree with the vegetable thing. sometimes supermarket vegetables make me cry because they just dont taste as good as i expect them too. I know this is a debate about ali and lewis but i just love talking about good vegetables when the chance arises.

 

well who else gave him as much trouble as Ali?
Machen? Williams? He beat these guys.