Joe Louis vs Evander Holyfield

personally I think joe would find a way to unlock and stop evander in the championships rounds after a seesaw fight. Louis is just too clever, too strong, too fit, things which holyman excels in too but Louis is just one step ahead in all those categories.

 

I like Louis in this match up .. Evander could not fight without going to war if hit and Joe would hit him ..

 

Joe would put Evander in a bad way, you do not want to trade with the brown Bomber

 

Joe Louis did lose to Ezzard Charles, who was very similar to Holyfield only smaller. But that was late in his career.

Holyfield held his own with Lennox Lewis, who in my opinion is a bigger Joe Louis.

Hard to tell really, this could go either way, not really an obvious style conflict. I'd lean towards the Brown Bomber in a decisive decision. I don't think Holyfield would damage him enough to stop his stalking assaults.

 

Incredible match up! An even better match up would be Holyfield vs. Ezzard Charles.

Regarding this thread I slightly favor Louis. Holyfield would be on the losing end of this war.

 

Lewis is a bigger Louis? I suppose they were both orthodox...

 

Lewis did not have the technical skills of Joe Louis.

 

You got to give one thing to Evander, the man stood in the ring against some of the most scary fighters in history, Tyson, Lewis, Foreman, Valuev, Bowe, and held his own with them all, never backed away from anyone.

He'd hold his own with the Brown Bomber too, but Louis could still take him in a decision for sure.

 

I think there are similarities between the two. Neither fighter was particularly mobile or had great footwork, but both were exceptional with their hands, had great jabs and thunderous rights. Both tended to work the center of the ring and stalk their opponents. Both could be patient methodical fighters and erupt like a volcano at any moment they saw an opening.

People knocking Lennox Lewis' technical skills don't know what they are talking about, he was one of the most technical fighters in history thanks in large part to Emmanuel Steward, and could adjust to any style. From 1995-2002 Lewis was a huge problem for any fighter in history bar none.

 

Louis could fight in many differing styles if he needed to. Beautiful counter puncher vs Baer, Carnera and Galento nicely side stepping side to side. Aggressive bomber attacking from the opening bell vs Schmeling Baer and Lewis. Lewis did not have the refined combinations, short power, abilities to parry, block, slip, feint, Bob and weave and then counter that Louis had. Lewis was much less refined.

 

Louis is too quick, too hard and too straight with his punches. Vander likes a fire fight and tends to loop his punches when doing so. He would be in for a rude awakening... when he wakes up.

 

Evander would have been an ATG in most eras.

But....IMO he never saw a great fighter his own size that was that fast, accurate and threw combos like Louis could with perfect balance and leverage. It is also fair to say that neither did Louis see a fighter with the hand speed and beautiful combo punching of Holy.

Over 12 or 15 Louis beats Holy on points.

Louis learned a lesson with Schmeling in a development fight that taught him enough that it never happened again until he was old.

The difference is Holy had a flaw in his prime that be the issue and that is the willingness to stand and fight even when he shouldn't and that is what Louis is great at short, hard, fast and fluid combos in a mid to infighting range fight.

 

Holy, easy.
ko 6

 

Bobby Czyz!!! Come on man, you gotta do better than that. Czyz was picked just to get in some work. Holyfield was past prime vs. Czyz (don't be fooled by the Tyson fights) but he was still a very good fighter. Anyway, I don't remember Czyz giving him any trouble before the 5th round stoppage. In the first round Holyfield's output was 85 punches. I forget what round it was but Holyfield won it 10-8 due to A standing 8 suffered by Czyz. Pretty one-sided to be honest.

As for Louis vs. Holyfield? I'll take Holyfield on points, but I wouldn't rule out a late round stoppage. Holyfield had the better footwork, both had quick hands, both had good power and stamina. Sure, Louis was known to be a better puncher but against who? Louis didn't fight big talented all-time great H2H monsters like Bowe x3 and Lewis x 2. He didn't fight beasts like Tyson or even an old dangerous fighter like Foreman, or a crafty old guy like Holmes. All taller and heavier than Holyfield with the exception of Tyson. You have to look at who could take what. Holyfield could take Louis' punches but could Louis deal with Holyfield's? It really doesn't matter who punches harder. Tyson punched harder too, right?

 

Does Louis get to take Evan Fields' pills beforehand? Imagine Joe on steroids!

Holy's warrior mentality could cost him here. He can box Louis, but if he gets hurt chances are he'll get angry and start slugging. Big mistake against someone with lighting fast hands, sharp countering skills and the power to knock him smack cold. Louis by TKO.