Was Jack Johnson superior to Joe Louis in anyway?

I think Johnson was clearly better defensively. He may have been faster, you can't really tell from the old cameras; Johnson's speed was exceptional.

 

Obviously his defense was better and he could slip and counter punches like modern day guys (james toney, mayweather). He had the stamina to go 20+ rounds so that cant be overlooked if we're comparing every stat. He also had a nice rear uppercut and was better in the clinch than Louis.

 

I think H2H Johnson beats him. Outsmarts him, out moves him and breaks him down.

 

You would be on fairly safe ground saying that Johnson's defense was better.

You would broadly expect a defensive specialist like Johnson, to have better defense, than an offensive specialist such as Louis.

 

Ring generalship perhaps?

 

Perhaps footwork. The ability to fight going backwards as well as forward. I wanna say overall balance though i havent studied Johnson enough to be certain. I do feel one of Louis weaknesses was balance.

 

Clinching

 

Johnson was stronger, faster on his feet, and a much better clincher. Better punch anticipation and ring smarts too. Those are things he did better than Joe Louis.

I'd pick Louis to finish him after looking bad after 6-10 rounds.

 

Well thanks. Its not hard to see it if you watch the films.

 

Eddie Futch named 3 men as the greatest of heavyweights.Johnson,Louis,Ali. I'm not saying he was wrong!

 

Joe was definitely more fan friendly when it came to watching their respective fights.