I think if you put Joe Louis in the place of Holmes, Louis would make it to 49-0

Especially if Louis’s career wasn’t interrupted with induction into the Army as it was in the 1940s. He could have blown through 49 or 50 fights rather quickly.

 

It is possible, but it is never a given with a feat like that!

 

This^^

 

Reynaldo "Mr" Snipes would have destroyed Louis!

Just kidding. Mike Tyson was Holmes's 50th fight if my math is correct. Seems to me the guys on Holmes resume who could potentially beat Louis are Shavers, Norton and Cooney. Of course Ali would also be a tough nut to crack assuming we are talking prime Ali and not the shadow that Holmes defeated.

 

No

Holmes did not have a Schmelling on his record.......plus Louis never had Holmes chin and Larry fought generally larger Heavies and was not out boxed /wobbled by border line Middleweights.

Holmes also lived a far cleaner life........drugs and excessive Alcohol use were a none starter for him vs Louis even in his prime partied , played with drugs and certainly drank.

 

Doubtful. Though Louis would have a long run.
Holmes faced some hellish punchers, to
Think one or more of them wouldn't land
Something heavy on Louis is not dealing
In reality. Louis would slip up well before
He got close to 49-0 facing Holmes competition.
Louis was badly hurt by what would be considered light punchers in his own era. Much
Less Holmes...

 

Of course Shavers, big right hand, Louis show he was susceptible to right hands. That right hand Snipes
Landed on Holmes I don't see Louis being able to recover
From it. M.Weaver awkward, physically very
Strong , a mean left hook, Cooney prior to
Holmes could've been a serious threat. The
Underrated Tim Witherspoon could've surprised
Louis. Those fighters were better than Schmeling and could have the same results he had in the
1st fight Schmeling vs Louis fight.

 

In 69 bouts, how many times was Joe Louis taken out by one shot?

 

Louis lost to Schmeling because he came in untrained, playing golf and chasing women, it taught him a valuable lesson. A lesson he'd have to relearn in holmes' era. Probably finds his loss to someone like Witherspoon, Shavers or Norton

 

Don't get me wrong, Those fighters are
Not in the same atmosphere as Louis
As far as skill level goes. And if they
Got Louis in a 1st fight , Louis would
Absolutely ruin them in a 2nd fight.
But my point is Schmeling stopped
Louis in the prime of his career.

All the excuses of him being
Undertrained is what it is,
An excuse. And if it was
One incident, it would be
Understandable, but what about Galento
Putting Louis on his ass , or Conn a natural
Lt . Heavy not noted for punching power
Having Louis in serious trouble? How about J.
Braddock another fighter not noted for his power
Put Louis on his ass. To many incidents become
A pattern, a pattern than becomes indication. Ali fought the 4-5 hardest punchers in Heavyweight history. Shavers,Foreman,Liston,Lyle,Williams,Frazier, how many times was he knocked down against that group of murderous punchers?
And that's all I'm saying is Louis was an
Offensive powerhouse, probably the greatest
Offensive fighter in heavyweight history as far
As the total package of speed,power,timing, proper technique, range. But he was merly average in other aspects of his game. And
In my opnion plenty of fighters especially as
They got bigger and more athletic as well
As better trained would've been able to take
Advantage of some of those average area's of
His fight game. At least once, especially whithin
The 49 fights Holmes fought without a loss. One
Or possibly 2 would've gotten to him....

 

Good post. While I give Joe Louis a real good chance at going undefeated against Larry Holmes’ opposition, what you say about him dropping a loss or two is a very real possibility. If nothing else he could certainly have some very close calls against some of them.. Mike Weaver seems like a guy who could deck him if he gets in a few of those hard left hooks.