Joe Louis's all-time HW top 6

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Unforgiven, Dec 25, 2010.


  1. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    This is how Louis ranked them, around 1975 .....

    (He's polite enough to leave himself off the list)

    1. Jack Dempsey
    2. Rocky Marciano & Jack Johnson (tied)

    4. Muhammad Ali
    5. Sonny Liston
    6. Gene Tunney
     
  2. D.T

    D.T Guest

    Where is your proof that that is Louis' ranking?

    I thought so.
     
  3. timmers612

    timmers612 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Unforgiven, interesting post and I have read some quotes from Joe that would be along these lines. Both Jack and he stated that Rocky hit harder then either of them. I'm a little suprised of Ali here though as he didn't seem to be that impressed by him.
     
  4. liston in his prime was a force of nature, no doubt, but his resume was poor to be even top 10. dempsey number 1 is a complete joke. tuney the 6 other joke, and ali the 4 lol.

    my list (according their careers,rivals,legacy, not who would win)

    1_ali
    2_joe louis
    3_larry holmes
    4_rocky marciano
    5_george foreman
    6_evander holyfield
    7_joe frazier
    8_jack jonhson
    9_jack dempsey
    10_lennox lewis
     
  5. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    I think Louis was impressed, just not mystified the way the average sports fan was.

    When the first round of Liston vs Ali 1 was over, Louis called it one of the greatest rounds in heavyweight history as a broadcaster.
     
  6. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I disagree with Louis on round 1 of Ali Liston 1.


    I dont think its up there with Marciano Walcott I, Dempsey Firpo, Dempsey Willard or any of these 1 round burners that happen pre 1963 or so.
     
  7. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    “The kid has speed and there’s no one around to outbox him, and the opponent who tries is in his grave. Especially in the middle if the ring. I’d see to it that Clay didn’t stay in ring center. No. He’d be hit into those ropes as near a corner as I could get him. If he stayed on the ropes he would get hurt. Sooner or later he’d try to bounce off, when he did he would get hurt more. I’d press him, cut down his speed, and bang him around the ribs. I’d punish the body. “Kill the body and the head will die”, Chappie use to tell me. It figures. Sooner or later he’d forget about that face of his and he would start dropping that left hand like he did against Mildenberger and Chuvalo. Those fellows got their openings by accident, and fouled it up. I would work for it and wouldn’t reckon to miss when it arrived. Cassius Clay is a nice boy and a smart fighter. But I am sure Joe Louis would have licked him.” -Joe Louis
     
  8. Leon

    Leon The Artful Dodger Full Member

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    :deal
     
  9. di tullio

    di tullio Guest

    Louis and Frazier are my favorite heavyweights by far. Those two defined bad ass.
     
  10. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

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    Joe's straight on the money. :good:deal
     
  11. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    There is no doubt in my mind Joe Louis was right on target. Just watch the young coil spring puncher in action. Ali never faced a murderous hitter who
    punched in blurring combinations [if needed]. His punches NUMBED you !
    As with Bob Pastor, and Billy Conn, he would eventually catch up to Ali and finish him off. Ali had a great chin ,but never faced a prime joe Louis...
    Come to think of it, who has ?
     
  12. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This content is protected
     
  13. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    I'd also like to see Ali against someone as good at the feint game as Louis. The guy was really good at feinting a man in and out of position and then slaying.

    as for Schmeling, how many dudes are in their prime in their 23rd pro fight?
     
  14. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    When a guy comes of two wins over Carnera and Baer and goes on to annhilate Sharkey in his next fight, he very much is in his prime.
     
  15. ticar

    ticar Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    a lot of people assumes that baer fight was louis's peak.he was in his prime against schmelling,no doubt