Joe Louis vs George Foreman: Do you agree with this prediction

The evolution of the sport is that the heavyweight division today IMO is ruled by pituitary cases with big punches and iffy boxing skills compared to the greats of the past. Those greats may not have seen today’s behemoths, but today’s behemoths have not seen someone with the palette of skills that Joe Louis had to go along with pretty frickin’ savage punching skills.

Again, this debate transcends boxing, people will argue with you that not just Babe Ruth but someone as late as Ted Williams never saw any pitches over 85 mph and couldn’t compete today.

The cream of the crop in any era in any sport would rise to the occasion and adjust, IMO.

 

It's not the size of the dog, a 48lb Colby dog would shred one of the modern XL bully dogs, some new high protein dog food and an expertly engineered weighted vest doesn't mean anything

If modern sports science and nutrition was so great then the heavyweights of today wouldn't physically look like such crap, they would be considered fat f***s by the old school trainers, even past prime Frazier looked better than guys like Ruiz and Zhang, and even the ones that aren't as flabby struggle with 12 they make it but their pace is embarrassing, whereas there used to be guys that had relentless pace and beat the brakes off of each other for 15

 

Joe Louis was the best power/combination puncher that lived and one of the greatest finishers in any division. While Big George can lift a barn with his power, he was also hittable and slow.
Ron Lyle showed that Foreman could be hit and hurt but Lyle was also slow and ponderous.

Joe Louis could hurt you with either hand and had speed of combination and killer instinct.

A Young Foreman had stamina issues, and the older version would not be able to handle Joes early pace. I don't think the fights goes beyond 6 rounds. Foreman could always hurt you and always dangerous but wide swinging leaves many openings.

Joe Louis by KO but possibly stunned or dropped on his way.

 

It's why I have practically zero interest in today's heavyweight boxing and spend so much time on my soapbox here.

I feel sorry for anyone who thinks the division is the best it's ever been in 2023.

 

Usyk?

 

Fair point, shouldn't have broad-brushed.

 

The irony, if that’s the right term, is that greater size can and has made a difference - but not in a manner in accord with the concept and spirit of boxing,

With greater size, skills have taken a notable down turn, replaced by sheer application of that greater size - via leaning, mauling etc.

It’s a no brainer than the bigger men would likely enjoy advantages in those regards.

The more that happens, the less it becomes an actual “boxing” engagement - which is not entertaining and can be, in fact, boring AF.

 

Unpopular opinion probably: The 80's heavyweights (Tubbs, Tucker, Thomas, Williams, Witherspoon, Dokes, Biggs) were all more talanted and actually looked more skilled than a lot of heavyweights today with the exception of Usyk (who surprise, surprise came from a lower division). Thomas still has a better jab than any HW today imo.