Joe Louis would stop George Foreman. There is no other way

This is one of those fantasy fights between ATGs where it is mighty tricky
picking the winner.
I would just about pick Joe Louis to stop Foreman around the 9th or 10th round
with his incredible combination punching.However Joe would have to be at his
absolute best.
If he's ever caught by one of Big George's sledgehammers then there is only
one possible outcome---a ko of the Brown Bomber.

 

Max Schmeling, Tony Galento, James Braddock, Joe Walcott, Buddy Baer, and of course Marciano all had one thing in common, they put Louis on his ass.
For a total of 10 knockdowns .
Billy Conn all of about 180 lbs had Louis reeling , and out on his feet.
Louis was absolutely the greatest offensive heavyweight in history, as far as timing, speed, creativity, intuition, technique, and power.
No heavyweight in history so far ( And very doubtful in the future) will ever possess the total offensive genius of prime Joe Louis. ( I've written this many times)
But Louis's offensive genius hid an average rest of his game. That average part was exploited by all the fighters I listed above, and other opponents that hurt him badly, just didn't drop him.
Louis's average defensive skills and average foot speed would be fully exploited by prime George Foreman or old. Foreman could take what Louis dished out for a few rds? But how long could Louis take it from Foreman?
It's like some of you think Foreman would just be standing there allowing Louis to just tee off.
If this was the case of course Louis would make short work of Foreman.
Foreman may be crude ( In comparison to Louis) but he'd bring a physicality and SMART aggression Louis never faced.
He'd force Louis to fight from a defensive posture, behind that pole axe of a jab, push him off balance, anytime Louis would try to set his feet, and land his offense.
Some wrote Louis would be all wrong for Foreman. I see it from a different perspective. My opinion is Foreman would be all wrong for Louis. Along with Liston, Frazier, Ali , Holyfield, and Tyson.
These fighters had attributes that would make them more dangerous for Louis than he would present to them.
Though Louis IS the greatest offensive heavyweight in history.
Theirs absolutely no shame for Louis ( In my opinion) to be behind that group of heavyweights. They all had certain physical abilities/ skills that would allow them to exploit Louis's weaknesses before he could get to theirs.....

 

Whoa now. That's a pretty high bar.

Have you seen the people that attempted to justify Fury Vs Chisora 3 or anything CJ posts about Margarito?

 

Foreman KO 1

 

Oh come on Swag, I saw people who claim Marciano would beat Foreman

 

Louis was too lumbering, his movement would let George club him on the front foot. Louis could use his beautiful combos and catch Foreman but I think its a generational skill and size difference.

I'd have to go Foreman KO.

 

OK. I concede. But it's still a pretty terrible argument. I could just as easily say, Louis was dropped by Galento, Simon, Baer, etc. Foreman would destroy him, and it would have more merit.

I was actually going to pick Louis, up until I saw that argument then immediately changed my pick to Foreman.

 

I agree with this, Louis cannot stand in front of Foreman . Louis had a great jab that would bother Foreman , Foreman had a jab that could stun you and Joe would be there on line for it. I think Joe is an all round better fighter by far, but sometimes that ain't enough and this is one of those times.

 

Counterthread coming up: "If Galento could drop Louis, Foreman would pulverise him"

 

I think Joe Louis CAN stop George Foreman and should probably be favored to do it. But it’s not something I would write off as a foregone conclusion. The opposite could also happen

 

In no way is this post related to a pick in Louis vs Foreman, and apologies if I'm being pedantic, but I'd categorise Foreman as a pure out and out puncher, rather than than a slugger.

As with most pure punchers, I feel boxer/mover types are Foreman's worst nightmare.

It may be we differ in our interpretations of the term "slugger", rather than our respective views on Foreman as a fighter. The term just has a more attritional quality, imo. I'd categorise Marciano as a slugger, albeit one with substantial power relative to his size.

 

Im referring to Foreman in his first career. He didnt have hand speed. His jab was ok but far from outstanding. He didnt become a classic counter puncher untill his second career so im leaving that out also and his stamina was questionable.
So out of the characteristics of an out puncher out boxer puncher, Foreman had mobility, footwork and packed a devastating punch.
Can you say Foreman was a out puncher, sure but a pure out puncher no.
Foreman was really good at cutting off the ring and trapping his opponents before destroying them with hooks, uppercuts and power punches. Therefore I think its safe to also call him a Slugger.

 

I said out and out puncher. Not out puncher. I.e. he was a pure puncher. He planted his feet and swung with a lot of leverage. Which is why movers gave him the most trouble.

I suppose that does describe a slugger, tbf. Always looking to throw the home run shot.

I still think a mover, rather than box puncher, is more of a nightmare for Foreman than your typically more static boxer puncher.

 

only two outcomes for me. louis by ud or foreman by knock out. it would be a GREAT fight! louis has the speed, yes and assuredly some power behind it.
foreman, strength, durability and heavy handed power!

 

Being able to plant your feet before throwing and being able to throw power shots from every angle is a Slugger but this desciption actually falls under the Brawler along with many other desriptions . Slugger is only one of the characteristic of a Brawler. I dont think Foreman qualifies as a Brawler though.
If anything Foreman was a Hybrid fighter imho.