Joe Louis vs George Foreman

Should this match go beyond the mid rounds, then Louis would have the advantage, but I don't see this one going past five, and prior to that point, its any man's fight. Therefore, I think Foreman would have as good of a chance of winning as Louis regardless of things like composite punching, shaky defense etc...

Louis's chin was no better than Foreman's and as for defense, well he was decked early on plenty of occasions by men who I would not exactly describe as being steller technicians nor all time great power hitters. No matter what we say about skill, the fact of the matter is, Louis would have to trade in close with Foreman, and in so doing would be just as suseptible to getting hit. The only two men who defeated Foreman in the 70's were two pure boxers both of whom possesing boxing skills that were of all time great proportions, not to mention chins that were well tested in battle. Everyone else, including an all time great world champion puncher, was destroyed early and easily..

I think some people pick Louis largely on the basis of what he did to bigger plodding crude punchers like Max Baer, Buddy Baer, and Abe Simon. But, as difficult as it is to imagine, Foreman's skills were actually a tad better. His chin was possibly sturdier, and his power was matched by none of those men. Sure Buddy Baer had something like 22 first round KO's, but who did they come against? Max Baer tested his chin against guys like Schmeling and Carnera, but are these men really solid hitters when compared to the whole of history?

I say this with no real conviction, but I am inclined to picking Foreman.. That said, Louis would still be a very formidable opponents and Foreman would have to be at his best....

 

:happy

You're actually making it seem harder than it has to be to pick Foreman. And Foreman's chin is easily superior to Louis. It was only exhaustion that had him down or out.

 

Although we both seem to concur on Foreman being the favorite, analyzing a cross era matchup is not so simplistic. Additionally, if you want the opposing side to take your position seriously then you have to at least be willing to consider all possibilities. Louis, while certainly having some noticeable weaknesses that Foreman might be able to capitalize on, was still an extremely dangerous foe, and one that could absolutely knock George out if the tides turn even momentarily in his direction.

 

I agree, and I saw that that's why I had to give you that push :rofl

No doubt. Louis is a lock top 3 HW and probably a top 10 Heavyweight in terms of H2H. I think he might be slightly overrated in terms of H2H because I don't see how he can out-jab the bigger fighters that setup and even move more. It worked when he was the bigger man and the great big puncher but it would be tough to fight like that with such little mobility and head-movement. He almost over-depended on that jab that it would be tough for him in other matches against big ATG HWs.

With this matchup, I look towards Foreman to just steamroll through but he has to set up that big jab. He's got to stick the jab and use his reach. He has power, reach, and size advantage. Louis can't hold off Foreman with that jab long enough and Foreman can take it. Louis won't be able to get off those big bombs in time. Louis is game and will survive and put a good fight, techically he's excellent although he had his flaw. Foreman doesn't capitilize to much on his flaws, just overwhelms him with his strengths. Early to mid-round KO for Foreman. Foreman had trouble with movers and slick boxers. Unfortunately Joe doesn't have the reach or mobility to keep him off and that jab won't keep George off forever.

 

Will be over like the Norton fight.

 

I think Foremans durability would alow him to last longer than that.

 

Louis via TKO between rounds 6 and 9.

 

:yep

 

Louis would go doooooooooooooooooooooown

 

If Foreman had Liston-esque defence I'd give him a very good chance, but he doesn't. Louis will counter and combo him to death until the big clubber hits the deck.

 

if louis gets past the fist two rounds he wins by 8th round ko

 

yeah, because Louis was Locche-esque wasn't he?

 

Louis was a stalker who loved opponents coming towards him, with his fast, economical, devestatingly powerful combos I predict Foreman will be touching down a few times before it's stopped. Louis's chin was also underrated and his powers of recovery unrivalled.

 

Not unless Foreman dramaticaly improved his defence against counterpunching he wouldn't.

 

he also had nothing cloe to the chin of Lyle. There's no way Louis could win that type of fight, with his chin. If he's going to beat Foreman, he'd have to run, which I doubt he'd do.

Foreman in 2 or 3.