Joe Louis vs Evander Holyfield:

While it's true that Louis was, in all probability, the best heavyweight there ever will be in terms of punching ability, Holyfield was not that far behind him. In fact I have him a clear second in this regard. This is punching ability, mind you, and not punching power wherein there is a vast difference between the two. Nowhere in any other heavyweight will you find a complete array of jabs, hooks, crosses and uppercuts outside of these two boxer-punchers (Tyson is up there but he tended to be a tad predictable in his combinations even in his prime).

Louis never faced anyone as versatile as Holyfield either. He'll be in the ring looking at a mirror-image of himself, basically. That and Holyfield will likely never get downed in the match. So..

 

I pick Louis by decision. It will not be decided on styles but rather on physical attributes, of which Louis had many.

 

i believe tysons ko over spinks "ready to be taken" phrase is true.you could see it on spinks face when he entered the ring he had already accepted that he was fixing to lose but i think most of the people who fought tyson in that time were feeling the exact same way.as far as douglas goes i dont think he was ready to be taken,he had just won the title i think what it was that he was outmatched as soon as the fight was set in stone.he knew that he was a dead man walking but i dont think that he was ready to be taken.he threw a few good shots hoping they would make evander change his mind but evander knew that the title was his.

 

Holyfield was floored in the 3rd round by a former cruiserweight with a record of 26-7, and who many considered as a journeyman. Do we accuse Evander of having a weak chin for it? No. Kindly extend Louis the same courtesy.

 

neither had paper chins.

 

I agree,

I only wish someone would explain it to KTFO.

 

His chin was at the lower-end of the spectrum, considering his high ranking. He got up most of the time and that's the main thing. It's not a factor in this fight so let's move on

 

As Janitor has stated Louis would not struggle with Holyfield's style IMO(thus he wouldnt be outboxed), he wouldnt be affected Holy's punches either although they might stagger him from time to time. I also think Evander's jab and butt style would frustrate Louis to a certain degree. But in the end I would envisage Holyfield being stopped around the tenth, as i couldnt see him taking a backward step, and he would walk onto the Louis' ripping combinations (Lewis IMO is by far the greatest combination puncher in the HW's possibly any weight class.

There are two styles Louis would struggle with punchers (Tyson/Dempsey) and boxers (Jack Jonhnson/Ali)

 

louis didnt have a paper chin but he was suseptable to right hands.aka jersey joe walcott 3 times he knocked down louis with right hands.and that is exactly how holyfield kos him within 3 due to evander having a stinging right mixed in with his beautiful combos that he throws.not taking anything away from louis being ONE of the best combinations man ever.

 

I actually thought that it was the left hook that troubled Louis most, and Holyfield actually had a pretty good left.

 

yes he did have a good left as well but i feel evanders gift for throwing multiple shots is what im refering to.evander didnt really ever just peck at you with a jab.it was usually a jab immediatly being chased by a right hand.or even 3 or more.thank you lou duva.