Marciano stops Louis October 26, 1951 & How good was 1951 Louis

Louis was still cagey. He had a jab, experience but his reflexes were dulled and his right hand had gone into retirement. Even Rocky said after the fight that he knew Joe's right was diminished but he didn't expect it to be "nothing".
That is very telling by itself. Joe Louis might have been the greatest right-hand puncher that ever lived. Marciano said it was not even a threat.

 

Replies must be slow, he's pulled out the sure fire big gun in Marciano multiple times in recent days. Even Tubby Tony Galento has been thrust forth.

 

It is too bad how Joe Louis ended up. He retired in 1949, after two hard wars with Jersey Joe Walcott. Louis then comes back because he owed the Internal Revenue $190,000.00, then gets beat up by champion Ezzard Charles, on Nov 1 1950, by unanimous decision. His wife left him, he had some good wins. Then on Oct 26 1951, he is stopped in 8 rounds by future champ Rocky Marciano. Joe Louis an all time great.

 

I give Rocky Marciano about as much credit for his Joe Louis win as I give Holmes and Berbick for beating Ali, and Williams and McBride for beating Tyson. It’s about right up there with them

 

Savold was as used up as Louis.Eight months later he fought Marciano and was forcibly retired.
"The will was there but not the body," said Daly. "I'm going to advise Lee to retire from the ring tomorrow."

John (Ox) DaGrosa, Pennsylvania state athletic commissioner, said he was going to suspend Savold indefinitely and ask him to retire.

 

So do most sane people, but Rockistas seem to think that it's a note worthy win.

 

He was shot

 

Great timing for his wife to leave him. Good women right there.

 

It was necessary.

 

A desperate, shot fighter forced into the ring at the tip of Uncle Scam's pitchfork.

 

Louis was probably a better fighter than Ali in FOTC. Remember Ali had just comeback from his layoff.

 

I’d compare him to the Holyfield of the Byrd fight. Still good but not good enough to beat or really compete with the top guys. Marciano’s least notable win

 

Surely he has less notable wins than an ATG.

Like Jimmy Weeks for example

 

Probably because Louis was on a win streak, and Ali had Parkinsons.

But hey

 

Louis was on a win streak? Ali was coming off winning the title back for the third time.

It's smoke and mirrors, both were shot, neither are top wins.