Joe Louis vs George Foreman

Louis by TKO. This might get me some stick, but the young Foreman is exactly the type of top fighter I'd back Joe to take apart.

 

Foreman. Terrible matchup for Louis. In my opinion Louis is top 10-15 historical, however H2H he might be a tad bit overrated. Hard to compete and out-jab with the bigger fighters. It's his lack of mobility that makes his style troubling for succeeding eras in my opinion.

Foreman only losers to movers, and the Jimmy Young was arguably a messed up Foreman mentally. Eitherway, Joe is too stationary. Foreman is bigger, longer reach, and too power. Joe's chin is suspect against ATG power.

Foreman mid rounds KO. His jab won't hold Foreman off long enough.

 

Fair do's pal, but I disagree. Foreman, for all his strengths, was wide open to a good counterpuncher, especially one with the speed and brutal combination punching of Joe, who wouldn't have to go looking Foreman (see the first two highlights). Movers troubled Louis, who was generally lethal against bigger, slower guys who had plenty of frame to hit, although Baer, Carnera and Simon weren't in Georges league. I just he'd move in behind the jab, make Foreman lead and then batter him with those devastating close combinations.

Foreman would have to take Louis out early IMO, which is a possibility of course, but if Louis takes the early assault, he wins IMO.

 

Can't see Louis with his back to the ropes getting pounded like Foreman did to Ali.

So Louis stays off the ropes...or he ends up like Norton in two rounds.

 

These two are among my favorite fighters and I put much thought on this matchup in the past. Stylistically I don't think you'll get too many matchups as good as this one. I think out of 10 fights Louis may take 5 and Foreman takes 5.

 

Louis. I think Gil Clancy's Foreman would have a better chance against Louis, but would still lose. The thing that would help Foreman would be his jab. But, George was a lot slower than Louis in terms of hand speed. Don't forget that Joe could box Foreman as well. Foreman really can't attempt to box Joe so he's got to come towards him all the time. Now when you think of a big, wide open guy like George there's plenty of opportunities to counterpunch. George threw wide looping punches that a classical boxer, with very straight shots, like Louis would absolutely love. Many people might say that Louis can't take George's power, but look at what he did to Max Baer who was at least equally powerful. When Joe start's throwing combos, he's really going to hurt George badly. I look for him to stop George around the 7-8 rounds. Besides, if it goes any longer, do you really think George's stamina holds up ?

 

This be the verse:deal

 

I disagree, Clancy's Foreman was generally tentative and might allow Louis to get off first and shake off his sometimes slow start

The intense, all-out Foreman that blew through Frazier and Norton would at least have a chance of getting in his own bombs first.

No question Foreman leaves openings for Louis to exploit. The question is, like it was for every other Foreman opponent, does Louis get the chance to exploit those openings?

 

I was considering that after I posted. While I think the more confident Foreman may have a certain edge, I think it could be nullified by how wide he would throw shots. Straighter punches would make it harder for Louis to reach him consistently. The big haymakers strike me as being a very dangerous route to go for Foreman. But, I can definitely see how your interpretation might be accurate. :thumbsup

 

i think anyone would be crazy to trade with foreman in the first few rounds. you get him later when he's tiring.

 

The Lyle fight was the first time George was in there against a live puncher and Lyle was nothing at all a puncher like the Great Joe Louis. Foreman had a punchers chance but Louis had the best como/power punches ever...I think Joe is carefull early on but when George presses he walks into something he can not survive

 

If I had to put Louis in a fantasy match up tactiacaly chosen to make him look good this is the one I would choose.

Stylisticaly I see it as a win win scenario for Louis and am prepared to nail my colours to the mast on this one.

Come fight night I would either be vindicated or take a mighty fall.

 

I find myself thinking the same thing. I can't picture George winning. I tend to think he'd have his moments but he'd ultimately succumb to Louis is pin point accuracy and deadly right hand.

 

I would like to lean toward Louis but I believe it comes down to who catches who first. I could go either way. Two of my all time faves. They both always have a punchers chance.
With Joe having the faster hands and better boxing ability and George possessing more power.