Riddick Bowe vs. Joe Louis

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by reznick, Mar 11, 2021.

?

Who wins?

  1. Riddick Bowe

    32.7%
  2. Joe Louis

    67.3%
  1. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Carnera couldn’t force Louis around in the clinches, and I think most people agree that Carnera had strength.
     
  2. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    What does Bowe have over Louis going toe to toe besides height and reach?

    Louis was faster, hit harder, was better at countering, finishing, had better footwork, and didn’t have problems with being weight bullied by bigger fighters.
     
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  3. Indefatigable

    Indefatigable Active Member banned Full Member

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    Louis knockout of Bowe in 5. Bowe falls & lands hard. Like King Kong from the Empire State Building. I am talking HARD
     
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  4. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I'd lay my money on Joe but Bowe would be a very live underdog.
     
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  5. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield did have a 1” reach advantage over Louis at 77”, but they both had the same height of 6’1” to 6’1.5” and comparable weights. The only difference is that Holyfield naturally has a narrow frame, which required a lot of weightlifting, supplements, and eating to be in shape at 200 + lbs while Louis is thicker framed and had to take off weight to come in under 210 lbs.

    An instance: Measuring Holyfield in 1987, publicist Kathy Duva recorded his height at 6-foot-1 1/2, his weight at 188 pounds and his chest at 44 inches. It was the waist measurement that furrowed Duva’s brow: “Evander’s waist is smaller than mine. So I added an inch to it.” Still, the heavyweight’s waist came to 29 inches.
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-07-sp-54726-story.html

    Holyfield, the first of the 1984 Olympic boxers to win a pro title, dominated the final five rounds and survived a series of Qawi flurries in the 15th to win the split decision at the Omni in his hometown of Atlanta.

    'I feel I can handle anybody,' said Holyfield, who stands 6-1 and weighs 186 pounds. 'I'd like to defend my title two or three times, become the undisputed cruiserweight champ, then fight heavyweight.

    https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/0...-who-outpunched-veteran-Dwight/9865521611200/
     
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  6. Toney F*** U

    Toney F*** U Boxing junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield was better than Joe Louis
     
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  7. GOAT Primo Carnera

    GOAT Primo Carnera Member of the PC Fan Club Full Member

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    Joe could finish what Hide began (maybe not the best Bowe) and stop him.
    But I don´t like Louis chin in that one, he got down too easy, while Bowe was more durable.
    The best Bowe is no bum like Baer or Two Ton Hotdog.
     
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  8. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    :lol:

    I guess that's one word for them.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2021
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  9. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    this is how I feel about it.
     
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  10. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    Riddick was stronger, not as powerful but plenty enough to put Louis down- plenty speedy with a much much more component Inside game he also easily a league above Louis in durability, he has just as good or greater punch out-put and endurance- it’s not being better in one particularly way it’s the combination of all those things combined with the difference in size.

    I don’t think Louis did anything but hit harder then Evander from the list you present, Holyfield was also just as good a text book boxer as Louis- with in my eyes better footwork particularly for fighting bigger opponents.

    As much as Joe could fight he hasn’t displayed anything that could make me think he could stand toe to toe with Bowe- could you find me an example?
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2021
  11. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    I can try!
    You know who Louis’s opponents were, so who would you consider a reasonable comp?
     
  12. Kamikaze

    Kamikaze Bye for now! banned Full Member

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    I edited BTW-
    None IMO compare to Bowe on Louis’s resume Rez, that’s why this isn’t a clear cut Louis win (IMO) I think Riddick should be the favourite.
     
  13. Devon

    Devon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bowe
     
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  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    Why do you assume that Bowe was some sort of all time great?

    He had one significant win, in his entire career!

    Was he an all time great, or did he just have Holyfield's number?

    Louis is not the fighter who needs to justify himself here, Bowe is!
     
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  15. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Well then you set me up for failure buddy ol pal :(

    Louis was a much better finisher than Holyfield. He was a better counter puncher. And he was a more finesse fighter. He has the highest punching accuracy in the history of boxing (tied with Mayweather).

    Holyfield and Bowe sat in the pocket pretty much the entire fight, trading punches from the high guard. Louis was far more dynamic on his feet than that version of Holyfield. By a country mile. Sure Evander bounced on his toes every now and then, but he barely moved around while doing so. Bowe will not survive a phone booth fight with Louis in a bijillion years. He has nothing going for him here.

    Joe is too smart, too poised, too clean, too hard hitting, and too much for Bowe. Louis would decimate him.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2021
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