Muhammad Ali vs Joe Louis

Are we specifying a Joe?

If we're going by age, in Zaire, Ali was 32. So we're talking Louis of Conn II or Mauriello?

 

Normally I pick Old Ali over Young Ali. And 30 years is a long span of time. But this matchup might be different. Ali's smarts aren't going to get him anywhere with an experienced Louis. And his punch resistance won't work too well either, Louis can be patience and go for the decision when he needs to. I'd say Louis would have a great chance in this one. He's going to outwork Ali, and Ali's not going to be able to ko him. Louis MD.

 

One of the toughest match ups to call. On paper, Louis wins. But Ali always figured out a way to win his most important fights. I give him the win because of his intangibles.

 

Ali - easy work

 

Sounds about right. A prime Louis would still find a 32 year old 'Kinshasa' Ali quite a handful,though.

 

Ali in a hard fight.

 

Old, Slow, Plodding Joe Louis?

 

Ali, TKO FROM 9 - 12 id say would be a safe bet.

Ali has the power to KO Louis too, I have no doubt about it. But I see too many flurries and maybe the ref stopping it.

 

Ali`s quickness would still be too much to Louis. He was bigger than Joe and quicker. Older Ali could still move and keep Louis off balance in spurts. He would tie up Louis when he needed to rest or clear his head. We know Ali took a helluva punch and his ring IQ would get him through when he was hurt.

On the other hand its questionable how Louis would be able to take Ali`s combinations. Ali had a sharp right hand and could definitely sting Joe. There is also the possibility that Louis get busted up from accumulation.

I`d take Ali by late stoppage.

 

Louis had great hand speed. He is going to tag Ali with that hook of his. It's going to be a tough fight for both fighters IMO. No easy victory.

 

Louis of the Max Baer match is probably a match for 1974 Ali in hand speed, but he's still not going to be as proficient in cutting the ring off as Foreman was. Ali still has the height and reach advantage, and he's not likely to go for the kill like Conn I and JJW II saw those challengers open themselves up to. (I don't blame Jersey Joe for not wanting to leave it in the hands of the judges a second time though.) It was after Manila when JJW repeated his declaration on camera that Ali indeed would have defeated all of his predecessors (which Louis disputed, also on camera).

Blackburn said in private that Jack Johnson would have beaten Louis, because Lil' Artha' was a mover. He might have favored Ali for the same reason. I just don't see Joe catching up to him as needed to force a stoppage, or scoring frequently enough to take a decision.

 

What 74 Ali lost with hand and foot speed he made up with toughness and guile and yet, even that version of Ali had faster hands speed than most heavyweights who ever lived. And as a result still a very tough mountain to cross for Louis. I see Ali late stoppage of Louis, after some scary early moments.