He'd do well. Watch Holyfield thrash Tyson in the 10th & 11th. I'm not sure if Louis would win, but if he would, the end would look very much like that.
Why? Because he showed up in peak form and focus for every match? Against this group of power hitters when he was known to hit the canvas with frequency? I think he would have the hardest time with Lewis, Ibeabuchi, Tua... the powerpunchers who had chins. And yes, Lewis got coldcocked in two bad performances but took a lot of great shots throughout his career in this hardest punching of eras But of course, Louis would be very elite for a long duration.
This thread would be more interesting if we had a hypothetical date of birth for Louis. Then we could realy flesh out who he would outlast, and who would outlast him.
Is he really more consistent? In 13 year he lost to Schmelling, fought an SD against Godoy, a perhaps robbery SD against Walcott and 2 rounds from losing against Conn. That's in his first 13 years at world level. In Lewis 13 years at world level he has just 2 losses (1 where he wanted to continue), a draw he really won and an MD decision. Not much in it
Briggs, Morrison might have the early success Buddy did. Mercer has the chin, jab and power to have a good chance but lacked the focus and intelligence even at his bests I imagine Joe will just outbox him, beat Ray to the punch and survive the big ones that get through. An old Larry beat Mercer, Louis was more static even at his best but has the jab, better combos here to win a decision. Holyfield has a different chance depending on what fight. He was at his sharpest and quickest for Douglas IMO. At his strongest and wiliest against Tyson the first time. Could be stunned when not quite at his best. Could be outboxed and outfought on some nights and look like neither was possible on others. Had extra help at some stages. I'll take him at his best at heavy and give him a bit of youth, so he'll be around or under 210. I'll take Louis on points over 15 in a great one but could go either way and wouldn't really argue. Ibeabuchi, Bowe both very tough fights. Could go either way. Louis knocks out Byrd. I'd favour Lennox to take Louis out, but if he's not 100% focused Louis has a good chance to blast him. Rahman, Maskaev, Seldon, all get knocked out. He beats Post-prison Tyson IMO. Breaks Bruno up as the rounds go on.
He would have my confidence to beat all of the second tier top heavys as well as some of the first. As Janitor said, he doesn't likely blow his winning streak against a Douglas or McCall type fighter. But if he's forced to face Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe and Lewis all in procession, he's not dominating. Frankly, I don't think anyone could have escaped the dawn of the 90's without picking up an "L" somewhere along the line.
Bowe and Lewis would beat Louis imo, too much in their arsenal. Early 90s Tyson as well, Tyson had A hell of a chin and still had some defense and body work. 96 and later version of mike might get outboxed. Louis might get dropped and or stopped against another big puncher as well. I believe the 90s sluggers had more power than the people Louis faced, ie Schmeling. Louiss skills carry him to a title though, and would beat most while losing to Bowe, Lewis, and early 90s Mike.