Joe Louis vs. Ezzard Charels 1949 15rds.

Good Thread. I always thought had ezzard gotten by walcott, and the louis rematch happened in sept 1951......louis would have done much better. Louis looked very sharp in his latest 1951 fights against savold and the first 5 rounds vs marciano.



Louis declined rapidly from walcott II to charles in 2 years..he was not the same physically. I think charles even in 1949 would take joe by close unanimous decision being floored once and his face all busted up but he would be too fast to skilled for louis. Its a myth that joe louis had no power left in 1950.


I think the 1946-48 louis gets to charles late behind on points

 

In 49 i would still take Charles via decision, Louis had lost some speed and reflexs which are normally the first thing to go it would be a lot closer like 9-6.

 

If Louis had not retired after the Walcott fight, but had fought on until sombody beat him, then Charles might still be a prety good candidate to do the honours.

On the other hand, if Louis could have walked down Charles and got him on the floor for 10 seconds, then it would have been a significant stay of execution. It might have taken a couple of years for another potential regicide to emerge!

 

I would still pick Charles by decision over the late 40's version of Louis. You have to also remember that the Charles that fought Louis in '50 tempered his offensive output with a great amount of respect and veneration for the old Brown Bomber, as Holmes did vs Ali...and I believe that a more firey version of Charles could have stopped Louis. A few years earlier..the Louis of the Walcott fights..Charles would have stuck to the box and move game plan and would have won much like he did in '50, and probably would have fought a smart fight, but would have been burdened less with such veneration for Louis as when they actually fought. What I'm saying is that Charles took it a bit easy on Louis in 1950, and suffered the bruises he got as a consequence...he made the fight tougher for himself, despite winning handily, by feeling such respect and awe for his idol.

 

It always has the be at the back of your mind though.

What if Louis lands a combo like he landed against Walcott and ends it?

His next few defences might be a bit easier.

 

It could have happened..that's why, despite my call for Charles, it's very hard to bet against Louis...he could catch lightning in a bottle as well as any fighter in history.

 

I think if charles would have got there before jersey joe he'd have beaten him then.

 

Charles is one of my favorite fighters of all time based on that beating he gave Louis...that was one of the fights that kindled my interest in boxing.

 

Charles beats him anytime after the war imo.

After returning louis wasn't as technically perfect but had power to win any fight out there. As his speed got worse and worse his ability to win at the highest level decreased.