Jack Johnson & Harry Wills assessment of Joe Louis in early 1936

Looks interesting. I'll read it in full latter.

 

Wow. ****ing Wow.

Did Wills see that coming with precise vision? A counter-puncher and naming Schmeling as the hardest hitter in the division to boot.

Great find.

 

This is truly wonderful inside information, many ,many thanks for sharing it with us.:good

I've always thought that Dempsey would get to Louis early and stop him ,and Wills agrees.

Of course we are talking about the young Louis here , a talented phenomenom ,not the seasoned champion he became.
As events unfolded, Johnson's and Wills opinions were validated when Schmeling countered over Joe's low left with his right cross.
I don't know if Wills bet on Schmeling, but Johnson made a bundle.

 

Cool read...thanks

 

No way did Baer nearly have Louis out of there though!

 

Baer did have Joe hurt a couple times in that fight though..

 

Dempsey was also robbed against Tunney (I know what he's alluding too but still)

 

Great find. And I yeah, I also think Dempsey would have beaten Joe - and would have get beaten up in a rematch.

 

:yep

For some unknown reason, Joe becomes Death in rematches.

 

It´s not unknown, Joe was just bad at ad******g during a fight. But between fights he is perfectly able to adjust his style to an opponent - or more Blackburn would adjust him.

 

Thanks, cmoyle!

 

If the bell hadn't rung maybe he would have though. He knocked Louis flying with that punch.

 

Well, he didn't quite add it up for the correct answer.
He seemed to give Louis the edge over Schmeling.

 

interesting read...some new/old information found...NY commission drew color line according to Dempsey and Wills likes Dempsey over Louis....Johnson did not like Louis but Joe was taught by old-timer Jack Blackburn and the made a masterpiece... no one is perfect but Brown Bomber was close

I dont think Dempsey feared anyone and he wanted to fight Wills but politics and the flavor of Johnson and his arrogance left a bad taste in the mouth of American politicos ...Jack praised Louis and although he still thought he would beat him was modest only saying"I would have fought my best and feared no one"