Louis was slow?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by reznick, Nov 27, 2010.


  1. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

    15,903
    7,631
    Mar 17, 2010
  2. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

    14,241
    152
    Mar 4, 2009
    As Ali put it, he was fast from the waist up. He was quick with his hands, his punches travelled a very short distance and carried a ton of power.
     
  3. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

    58,748
    21,564
    Nov 24, 2005
    I didn't know lack of speed was ever even a common criticism of Louis.
    He was obviously lightning fast in his prime.
    His feet weren't slow, he just fought in a style where he was always quick to set himself flat-footed.
    Get the job done with the minimum amount of movement, no wasted energy.
     
  4. IntentionalButt

    IntentionalButt Guy wants to name his çock 'macho' that's ok by me

    399,388
    81,387
    Nov 30, 2006
    I'm just glad this isn't another one of those discussions of his mental faculties, which was my fear in first seeing the title. :!:

    Joe's footwork was perfectly effective within his style and didn't lend itself to quickness (didn't need to).

    Certainly a fast puncher.
     
  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

    71,503
    27,039
    Feb 15, 2006
    It always struck me as a slightly silly criticism.

    Then again, if Louis walked on water some people would say that it was because he couldn't swim!
     
  6. FastHands(beeb)

    FastHands(beeb) Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,496
    407
    Oct 28, 2010
    Joe was quick from the waist up, but his footwork was excellent too...he was not as overtly, flamboyantly quick as Ali footwork wise, but still wonderfully efficient and economical with his feet. If he only had to move his feet 2 inches, he wouldn't move them 3 inches.

    The problem today is that Louis' footwork is not "highlight reel" stuff, so tends to get overlooked. We live in an era of style over substance, so it's hardly surprising.

    This "Louis is slow" stuff is one of the biggest myths in boxing, imo.

    To me, Louis is the greatest heavyweight of all time. I think some of the subtleties in his attributes are just that, too subtle to be appreciated by some casual (and in many cases younger) fans today.

    He was, imo substance over style.
     
  7. Meast

    Meast New Member Full Member

    0
    13
    Dec 6, 2008
    I think most bring up his slow feet rather than hands. As Unforgiven said, it's just the way he set himself and it saved a lot of energy.

    Nice little video though, haven't seen it before!
     
  8. Woller

    Woller Active Member Full Member

    1,372
    314
    Nov 24, 2005
    Tommy Farr describes that Jouis was not fast on his feet but he "crept up on you", and when he was within range then boom-boom-boom the punches came..

    Woller
     
  9. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    19,229
    257
    Oct 22, 2009
    Yeah, very efficient fighter. Could have been German.



    :good
     
  10. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    264
    Jul 22, 2004
    He did sound awfully slow when interviewed. Louis hands are very fast at mid-range, his jab isn't though, and his feet are plodcentral
     
  11. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,227
    1,247
    Feb 6, 2009
    very well put.that describes louis too a tee.
     
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    112,734
    47,523
    Mar 21, 2007
    Right. NO wasted energy. That's how you carry your power and sharpness to the late rounds.
     
  13. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    18,285
    395
    Jan 22, 2010
    FH,you said it all !Yes, Joe Louis was SLOW !
    SLOW as a rattlesnake ! In his soul, Louis and Blackburn knew of the old adage : haste makes waste... Joe knew that it was not wise to throw
    unecessary punches, and struck his opponents at the proper time, not
    wasting energy...There was no glitz or showboating. No Ali shuffling his
    feet without throwing punches. No taunting his opponents,under the
    guise of showmanship. To Louis that would be beneath him !
    He let the quickest and most deadly fists do his talking, and Louis got
    the job done pronto...Fast, gentle and deadly, was Joe Louis...:good
     
  14. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,227
    1,247
    Feb 6, 2009
    nicely put burt.my dad would have enjoyed reading that.:good
     
  15. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

    38,042
    7,537
    Jul 28, 2004
    Thanks BB, I enjoyed reading that!!:good