Joe Louis vs Denis Lebedev

Yeah, that's right. Oh I know I'm going to be accused of sacrilege for this, but I really don't care. :bbb

One thing though:

Styles analysis ONLY, please.

No resume fapping. No mythologizing. Keep it styles.


Joe Louis never fought a southpaw in his career, let alone a hard-hitting southpaw like Lebedev. I think the southpaw style could be a major problem for Louis.

Lebedev hits a lot harder than Schmeling. He also moves a lot better than Schmeling.

Louis has the hand speed advantage. Lebedev has better footwork than Louis. They are about the same size in terms of ring weight. Louis is taller, probably has a reach advantage.

Lebedev can switch gears, fight going forward or off the back foot. He wouldn't have to look for Louis, but Louis might have to look for him.

Personally, there's no doubt in my mind that Lebedev beats the decrepit old Louis that Marciano fought. But we're talking about prime Louis.

Honestly, I think this fight is a toss up. I don't know who wins. It's basically Louis' hand speed and power vs Lebedev's southpaw style, power and mobility. Would Louis' hand speed be enough to counter the southpaw style and mobility of Lebedev? Maybe, maybe not. What do you think?

 

Louis had faster hands than Schmeling, still got beat up by a slow counterpuncher. An advantage in hand speed can be offset with timing and positioning. I don't see how Louis has faster feet than Lebedev though. I don't agree with that. If you look at the problems Louis had with Galento, for example, I can easily see how Lebedev can be much worse for Louis if he lands flush.

 

Yeah, I worked the mitts with both of them. Lebedev hits a lot harder, I tell ya.

 

I'm basing it off a well known historical tendency in boxing. Southpaws come up fighting (and training with) mostly righties. Louis never fought a southpaw, so it's not like he had a lot of experience fighting them. Also, look at the link that LittleRed posted.