Marciano-I Just Don't Understand It

Are certain 21st c posters here smarter and more insightful than those who saw Louis firsthand over his entire elite career? Because those guys had certain thoughts regarding his abilities. And those thoughts were born true even in these exhibitions.

 

I think everyone is in agreement that his abilities were diminished. I'm sure it was sad for those writers who knew him and grew up watching him. Take the emotions out of it and it's a matter of how much he had slipped. Was he still a force compared to the rest of the field?

 

An honest appraisal of the first part above renders an honest appraisal of "the rest of the field" in the second.

 

"Louis was down for no-count in round three. Louis announced his retirement on March 1, 1949" he returned 2 years later to fight Charles for his title in his COMEBACK fight.
If Louis had not retired he would still have been champion wouldn't he?
Jesus Christ you have no limits do you!

 

And Elmer Ray had been ko'd a week earlier by John Holman and was 38 years old ,and was actually retired!

 

But what was he coming back from? The guy was still fighting 30 times a year. Knocking guys out like Valdes and Valentino etc etc. In public. Before paid audiences.

 

So they say. Pat gave a good account of himself against Louis. Good shape, just two weeks after the biggest fight of his career. Against Louis Pat was not holding back either. Seems his career ended after the Louis fight though.


“ On October 14, 1949, Valentino challenged Ezzard Charles for the National Boxing Association heavyweight title in San Francisco and lost by an eighth-round knockout.

Valentino boxed an exhibition against Joe Louis in Chicago on December 7, 1949, and was knocked out in the eighth round. Valentino retired after the exhibition.”

 

No he was fighting exhibitions.Everyone who does not have a vested interest in bigging up Marciano recognizes this.. But you carry on in your merry way.
I'm sure posters will give your input the due gravitas it deserves .

 

Film evidence shows that joe Louis was not playing around in these public exhibitions. Yes or no?

 

Here's another report on one of Louis's "fights".

Detroit, Dec. 15 -

Boxing commissioner Floyd Stevens said today there will be "no more exhibitions in Michigan" as the result of Joe Louis' five-round "double-header" which sent fans heading for the exits midway in his home-coming show here last night.

A crowd of 9,257 fight fans began walking out on the retired heavyweight champion during the first round of his five-round exhibition with home-towner Roscoe Toles.

Louis' first five-rounder with Johnny Flynn of Rochester, N.Y. brought groans from the fans as the boxers danced around the ring but did little with their 10-ounce gloves.

Ringsiders said the Brown Bomber punched lazily and ducked punches that his opponents obviously were pulling.

Louis entered the ring as the first man to schedule a double-header exhibition in the Motor City.

Stevens said the retired champion would receive 25 percent of the $19,778 gate. Flynn, the commissioner said, got $2,120 when he refused to appear for the original $750 planned for him. Stevens then snorted:

"No more exhibitions in Michigan."

 

Chok****!

 

That’s rather unkind

 

It's not directed at the dog.

 

This is an example from one of 80 exhibitions during Louis’ First “retirement”. I’m sure you can find a lot more tame sparring type examples from within the 80 just as there are examples of Louis knocking guys out. Seems I am prepared to acknowledge the tame ones and you refuse to acknowledge the “real” ones.

What is your explanation of Louis knocking Valdes out and knocking out Valentino? Was he pulling punches there?