Joe Louis in the 90's

Without a guy like Blackburn he wouldn't be the same fighter he was.

If my aunt had balls....

 

I think he would be at the top, IMO. Not many other men would have been able to beat him, but a select few would definitely have a chance (Holyfield, Lewis, Bowe, etc) but everyone else I think Louis would pretty much beat.

 

No I don't think he would reign as long.
And I think that's pretty much a 50-50 fight, depends if Louis gets caught early

 

I totally agree. Blackburn is one of the greatest trainers in history. He gave him his style and punching technique. His balance, stance, punch, would be completely altered.

But if time travel were possible, most hypotheticals here assume it is possible, then I feel Louis would've ko'ed them all. Tyson wouldn't know what do after catching one of those lethal 4 or 5 punch louis combos to the jaw. he never handled adversity well in a fight.

 

Pains me to say it, but Tyson and Holyfield would maul him. I think Tyson certainly would put him away. Tyson outguns him and Holyfield outworks him, whilst their granite chins keep them safe. Lewis would likely be too big, skilled and powerful for him. Bowe could be a task, but his poor defense and somewhat lazy offense could be an accident waiting to happen considering Louis crushing power.

I'm afraid to say after watching all i can of Louis recently, the aura has dimmed somewhat. His power is immense and could very well be the equaliser in these matchups, but i believe these fighters have his number in most other areas.

A scenario i'll put forward is him upsetting Bowe with an early KO, losing a hard fought MD to Holyfield, getting KOed by Tyson early and TKOed by Lewis late on

 

Again with this "Holyfield had a granite chin" schpiel? He had a very good chin, but definitely not granite. No granite chinned fighter gets hurt as often as he did. The same applies for his stamina, which is often so highly lauded. You don't see fighters with supposedly great stamina taking rounds off and clinching excessively to catch their breath mid-way through the fight as often as he did.

Louis was definitely capable of cracking his jaw and putting him away, and I'd likely favor him to do so down the stretch. No doubt that it'd be a very good fight while it lasted, though.

Tyson I'd probably favor over Louis due to styles. Then again I've always been particularly high on Mike.

 

For the record these are the matches i am for and against Louis in history prime for prime...

Louis favoured over...

Jack Dempsey
Floyd Patterson
Sonny Liston
Rocky Marciano
George Foreman
Riddick Bowe
Wlad Klitchsko
Vitali Klitchsko

Opponent i favour over Louis...

Muhammad Ali
Joe Frazier
Larry Holmes
Mike Tyson
Lennox Lewis
Evander Holyfield

 

He would crush Lewis, Bowe and Holyfield.

Lennox could not land enough on an old Holyfield. Lennox feasted on large, slow heavyweights. Louis excelled at moving in fast behind a ramrod jab and decapitating giants ... He'd put Lennox to sleep.

Bowe was far too hitable and would go out like a light.

Evander was tough as nails but Louis would be a terrible match up for him .. They were basically the same size. Evander was not a killer one punch guy and he was there to be hit. Louis would be one of the few guys I'd pick to take Evander out.

Tyson is the wild card. He was explosive out of the gate and it is possible he could catch Joe early ... it's just as possible Joe times him and tears his head off .. that's a hell of a match up ... forget Louis / Dempsey , it's Louis/Tyson ...

 

I personally think Tyson would be ****ing terrified of Louis. Whenever he couldn't get his bully on he shat his pants and even Tyson himself admits "It's hard to see anyone beating him... even ali".. With that kind of mindset, how do YOU think he would do? But stylistically he has the best chance, his combo of power, and speed of hand and foot also makes him a favorite. But then again, this is 90's tyson. 90's tyson wasn't so invincible, and prone to caving. I would favor 80's Tyson over Louis.

Lennox was big and skilled, but Louis never had any trouble with the big guys. It was the small, quick, clever guys who would box with him in spots and then dance away that would give him the most trouble. And if Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall could crack him out, then you better believe the guy with one of the most accurate and devastating right hands in the sport can. His movement would help, but i see him getting caught and killed.

Bowe was too hittable and would be willing to exchange with Joe(awful idea). He had a pretty good chin, maybe he could use his size and infighting skill to wear Louis down and tire him out. He has a solid chance.

Holyfield would have almost no chance IMO. Similar size, but inferior in every single other aspect skill and talent wise.


If i'm going by how i'd rank their chances?

Tyson>Lennox=Bowe>Holyfield

 

I think that he would certainly stand out as the best of the bunch, but the level of talent might be high enough to prevent him from ataining true dominence.

 

I was referring to the young Tyson of the late 80's, by the way.

 

I'm actually with you, man...The more I watch, the more it fades.

Joe is immobile, plodding...The footwork is just poor. He jab is strong and hard, but not particularly fast...I dunno...

The more film I see on Joe, the more mortal, H2H, he begins to look to me. There is just a lot wrong with the man from a technical standpoint.

Still, his kayo's are some fun to watch. The man could let those hammers fly.