Joe Louis 1930s vs. Joe Louis 1940s. The resume clash

It’s possible that the Joe Louis from 1940-1942 was better than the 1930’s version. But once his pro career was put on hold due to his military service I think he lost a step.

 

I always found 40s Louis slower and less mobile than 30s Louis, granted he did usually weigh 201-203 compared to 30s Louis who was usually around 195-197

 

I prefer 30's Louis

 

Walcott is the best win on this list but the overall strength of names from the 30s is higher

 

1930s its not close he had 40 wins in the 30s and 17 in the 40s. You didn't even include Mann, Harry Thomas and Al Ettore on your list. Louis unquestionably has the best HW resume prior to winning the title and cleaned out the division in the 30s.

Despite his "bum of the month" tour in 1941 Louis did not clear out the division in the 1940s and theres a lot of good HWs he didn't fight because of WW2. Louis possibly left another 20 defenses on the table. In the 30s whose the best HW he didn't fight? Loughran, Neusel and Art Lasky are the best ones who come to mind.

Louis opponents tended to retire shortly after fighting him. In the 30s his opponents built up HOF careers before this though his 40s ones had less accomplishments.

 

After Mauriello Louis's knockout power vanished too. He was still good but despite being lighter and fighting much lighter opponents he just did not have his power. This slower less mobile Louis had to rely on outpointing opponents something he'd previously almost never had to do. That was a huge part of what made Louis Louis. If old Louis still had his power when he fought Walcott, Charles and Marciano those fights go a very different way.

 

Walcott is his best win, but he had more decent wins in the 30s.

 

Liston beat only 1 less contender than Louis before the belt and did more than any subsequent champ for sure. But Louis had knocked out the 3 previous lineal champs before Braddock and knocked out Uzcudchin. Liston became the number 1 contender 4 fights before Patterson and won only 2 eliminator fights.

But since Liston whose the best HW resume of a champ prior to winning the title? Might be Buster Douglas. The margin after Louis/Liston is massive unless I'm forgetting someone. Walcott got a lot of shots coming off losses. Godfrey, Braddock and Bruno got their title at the very end. Dempsey had the WW1 situation.

Moore I guess counting the 55 title but a lot of his feats over HWs were at LHW.

 

1930s. He beat more ranked contenders and also the greatest fighter on his resume in Max Schmeling. The top 2 and 3 though are in the 1940s, Conn and Walcott.
I would say that 1942 might be the best version of Louis.

 

Fair examples. Though I kinda consider the NABF a major belt in the 70s given the quality of its title fights.

What if we make it first pre title shot?

 

The point should be made that Louis might have devalued his 40s opposition, by holding the title down, and not allowing any short tenure lineal champions to emerge.