Was Louis better than Marciano?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Boxing125, Jul 29, 2015.


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  1. Boxing125

    Boxing125 Active Member Full Member

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    Louis was great but he lost in 1936 by a 12th round knockout to Schmeling. I know beating him convincingly in the re-match added to
    Louis's legacy but HE LOST AT HIS PEAK - MARCIANO NEVER LOST:nono

    After Louis at 37 lost his last professional fight to Marciano he said ' Marciano hits harder than Schmeling'

    I know Marciano because of his size would have struggled to do anything against the giants of the last 30 years but by that token so would Louis! Marciano had a KO record of 88% Joe Louis had a KO record of 79%

    Marciano was no less chinny than Louis and arguable had just as much power. Marciano knocked out JJW twice while Louis did it once and had to rely on a disputed decision in the first fight.

    Louis was one of the top 3 HW's of all time over 20 world title defences but Marciano was just as great - both beat the best of their era. Neither was a very strong era though.
     
    Boxing125, Jul 29, 2015
    Boxing125, Jul 29, 2015
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  2. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Louis was not only better than Marciano, he's the best fighter of all time
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
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  3. itsa

    itsa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Was it the same Walcott? That's up for debate.

    IMO Louis had more game opposition. Baer,Schmeling, younger Walcott, billy conn.

    Then again, the manner rocky won vs both Charles and walcott can't be ignored, especially with the cuts.

    49 and 0 as a heavyweight is impressive. I don't think Rocky's fight with Louis has any relation to their legacies.

    Close
     
    itsa, Jul 29, 2015
    itsa, Jul 29, 2015
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  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    He developed a better legacy, and i don't think that is debatable.

    Head to head is more open to interpretation, but it would be safe to say that Louis would be likely to beat more great fighters, based on versatility.
     
    janitor, Jul 29, 2015
    janitor, Jul 29, 2015
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  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Louis was past prime when he faced Walcott and Walcott was not as good when he met Marciano imo You can't just take their respective results and run with them.

    Louis is a consensus 1 /2 heavyweight with most, [ not me], if Marciano is ranked in anyone's top 10, I think its usually in the lower half.
     
    mcvey, Jul 29, 2015
    mcvey, Jul 29, 2015
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  6. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Louis is easily a top 2 heavyweight, easily. Louis is in the running for number 1 p4p of all time ahead of sugar ray Robinson

    Most people rate Marciano as a top 10 heavyweight. It's pretty rare when I don't see him in a top 10 list
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
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  7. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Pretty rare when I see him in the top 5. Louis is my no 4.
     
    mcvey, Jul 29, 2015
    mcvey, Jul 29, 2015
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  8. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    He's not in my top 5. Marciano rates number 7 for me. A general consensus among boxing people these days places Marciano inside the top 10.


    Louis at 4 is the lowest I've ever seen.


    1. Joe Louis
    2. Muhammad Ali
    3 Lennox Lewis
    4 Larry Holmes
    5 Wladimir Klitschko
    6 Sonny Liston
    7 Rocky Marciano
    8 George Foreman
    9 Mike Tyson
    10 Joe Frazier
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
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  9. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    BTW, I don't think any heavyweight should be in that conversation, tbh, but it's always been the most overly romanticized division in boxing.

     
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 29, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 29, 2015
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  10. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Louis is an exception.
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
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  11. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    You make a good case for Louis being historically overrated but I don't see that it's nearly enough to make Louis v Marciano a close call.

    That being said, I find it strange that some members of the Marciano fan club sees him destroying much stronger, more mobile men with sturdier chins than Louis but don't give him a shot against Joe. Strange.


     
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 29, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 29, 2015
    #11
  12. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Nor me, he wouldn't make my top ten P4P.
     
    mcvey, Jul 29, 2015
    mcvey, Jul 29, 2015
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  13. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Louis was special. The best, I love joe Louis, he's an American hero. The best of all time. He proved it On paper , in the ring, and outside the ring

    Why aren't you a member of the Marciano fan club?

    Which fighter are you a fan of? Oh that's right the 5 foot 5 Qawi
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
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  14. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Why was he so special, in your opinion? Couldn't care less about what he did outside the ring or whether he was an American hero, personally. I care more about his slow, plodding feet and below-average chin.

    Very good fighter/great career but I don't see how he compares to more skilled little guys who have better names on their resumes.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 29, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Jul 29, 2015
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  15. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Did Marciano lose to Art Henri? Did Marciano lose a fight? :huh

    How many rounds did Tua lose to David Izon, Monte Barrett , fres oquendo? :lol:

    How many rounds did mike weaver lose to Rodney Bobick Stan ward, Duane Bobick, Larry Frazier? :lol:
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
    SuzieQ49, Jul 29, 2015
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