of course its next to impossible to pick against louis, but i think byrd would have given him serious trouble en route to losing a decision. opinions please.
Byrd might hear the bell. But this is one of those fights where winning a round is actually dagnerous for Byrd. To win one he has to work so hard to stay out of the way whilst "lead-countering" that he'd be nothing shy of exhausted for his 10-9. Also, if he pushes to win rounds, he may just get decapitated.
I think Byrd could give Louis some fits in a distance fight, but in the end Louis power and agression would win the fight on points. IMO, Byrd is better than the Farr's and Pastors who also gave Louis a hard time.
Louis too much offense, Byrd spent too much time on the ropes. Look at the Ibeabuchi and Golota fights and picture JOES FAST POWER/COMBOS....LOUIS KO BY 6-7 RDS
Would you really describe what Farr gave Louis as a "hard time"? It was a bit uncomfortable maybe, but watching that fight, I never feel like Joe is imperiled.
I think as others have said that Byrd would give Louis some problems. I dont think he would see the final bell because he dosnt tick all the stylistic boxes, for that.
I certainly dont. from what i have seen, far was neither as fast or as skilled a fighter as byrd was. farr was tough, but a rather ordinary boxing talent.
He was also hellishly awkward. I think he used what he had as well as Byrd did, if not better. At his peak he may have been unknockoutable (my favourite word).
I cant agree. Farr was verry adaptable. He could box and he could swarm as the situation dictated and do both well. He was verry unlucky to get his title shot while Louis was champion. If he had got it against one of the mid 30s champions he would have been in with a good shot. He was in with better talents than Byrd was and had more to show for it.
farr was solid in both slugging/infighting as well as boxing behind a left jab. but nothing more. byrd on the other hand was a master at what he did. take joe louis off that list and byrd has a better winning record against more talented fighters.
I think Byrd might be a good fight for Louis for some of the same reasons that others have already listed. In the end though, particularly in a 15 round fight, I could see Louis scoring a knockout. Byrd couldn't dance around him forever, and Joe always found a way to win during his peak years.