Joe Louis vs. Vitali Klitschko

Just being reactionary. But I think Louis wins.

 

But Carnera was not a skilled jabber, Vitali is.

 

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/trEGY-q_IF...&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/trEGY-q_IF...2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


Carnera looks pretty good jabbing here against a clever boxer.Just click the you tube bit.

 

Primo was no where near Vitali's class.

 

Vitali needs to start beating someone who matters (eg. his brother, Wladimir) if he is to prove he's of a higher class.
That's where it begins and ends for me.
I can assess a fighter who didn't have the good fortune to mix with the greatest opposition, but Vitali's case is too extreme. His opposition mostly far too weak to take seriously, and he LOST to the only good fighter he faced.

 

All you gotta do is post the youtube link. ESB does the work for you. Yes I know, it tripped me up at first too. Here

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trEGY-q_IFA&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

 

And then the second best one.

Not so good for his legacy.

 

Let's face it. If Vitali would beat Louis all those nuthuggers would say Louis was past his prime, wrong workout, wrong day of the week, etc.

There's just not one logical point why Vitali could lose this.

 

The logical point is that Vitali simply isn't exceptional. Frankly, on their best day I'd take Corrie Sanders over Vitali (especially if I could make sure Corrie didn't train on donuts and beer) because he throws straighter, quicker, and more naturally. Vitali's success is based upon his size and a horrible division in this era. It is clear that he isn't exceptional offensively as that assessment would mean that Corrie Sanders must be one of the greatest of all time then.

It is similar to watching Calzaghe versus Hopkins. Joe had the better stamina and workrate being 7 years younger but he looked like a rank amateur in a multitude of respects next to the old man. It is obvious to anyone watching who was more talented.

Vitali has great size and is good in certain areas. But, a great athlete and fighter would be able to capitalize on his comparatively wide punching technique, his somewhat clumsy and ponderous movement, and land first as they threw and inside of Vit's punches. Vitali simply isn't natural and fluid. Under attack he has the same inadequacies as his brother.

It is very hard to compare eras (for so many reasons). But, if Louis was the athletic optimum of the era then it is quite possible and plausible that he would have been able to see the openings and land. Vitali is not even close to having the best hand/eye and foot coordination of all the big men on the planet today. His success is a direct result of his size and the absence of quality big men. No one watches Vitali or Wlad perform and thinks "wow, that is amazing stuff". No athletes watch them and come away thinking that they are watching exceptional unparalleled movement, speed, quickness, agility, or anything.

Normally the focus or statement is upon the opponent (and ignores the Klitschkos) wondering why this or that fat bum (or mediocre talent) is even in the ring. At the most, the impression of the Klitschkos is usually that they are larger than their opponents and in comparatively better condition. That is all.

 

I did not suggest he was ,I posted the link of him jabbing Sharkey in rebuttal to Mendoza's assertion that , " Carnera was not a skilled jabber."

 

I think there is a lot of substance to your argument.

 

We sort of agree but from opposite camps.

1. Primo Carnera was the linear heavyweight champion of the world in his day. He earned that title by beating the man who held the linear heavyweight belt.

2. He also fought the best heavyweight competition available in his day.

Neither of those things are true for Vitali Klitschko.

So...yeah, I agree they are not in the same class...Primo is in a class ahead of Vitali...in my opinion.

 

Much simpler ,thanks, I am still coming to terms with the pocket calculator .

 

As far as top heavyweight jabbers go, Carnera is not among them. In fact, I could easily name 40 heavies who had a better jab than Carerna.

Carnera jab was nothing special. That was my point. My other point is fighters with good jabs...Farr, Schmeling, Conn, Pastor, Walcott, and Chalres landed their jabs on Louis. Vitali's jab is harder than any of the above men, and longer than any of the above men. Its also fired more often. These are facts.

Louis could win here if he lands his best, but I see him as a catcher more than a pitcher in this match up.