Holmes is not beating Joe Louis. Louis just too accurate, too great....no jab keeps Louis at bey for long especially when that jab is constantly dropped after being thrown. Louis too quick not to capitalize on this. Louis by 10th round stoppage. Prime Joe could do it all.
Holmes has a great jab, good power and some of the best boxing skills for a heavyweight. If he stays focused I can see him taking a decision over 12 or 15 rounds. Joe Louis might not be clasicaly skilled. However he's focused, rarely makes a mistake and is able to take advantage of even the smallest mistake of his oppoent. He had punching power that tosays bigger heavy's should envy. I think somewhere in the fight Holmes has a lasp of focus. Which leads to a KO win for Louis.
He is really though, his legs and jab are so good, good chin and GREAT stamina. I favor Ali, Lennox, and maybe Tyson over a prime Holmes. The rest like Foreman, Frazier, Johnson, Louis, etc, I lean toward Larry.
I'm a massive fan of Lewis. But not sure how he could beat Holmes. He's got more power, thats about it. Holmes has the better and more consistent jab, slightly faster, more durable and generally better across the board. He's more mobile on legs as well.
Louis boxing skills are being way overlooked here. Really look at the skills prime Louis showed in the ring. Far more advanced than anything Holmes brought to the table. Watch his counterpunching ability vs Galento, his boxing ability as he side stepped around Max Baer, that jab, combinations, accuracy. We really are talking two very different levels of skill here. Louis is a once in a lifetime talent to this day unmatched. Holmes jab buys him some time but Louis is trip hammer quick with both hands. Once he is hurt the combinations that follow would not be something Larry would be able to avoid or handle.