Which is the more dangerous opponent for Louis: Foreman or Tyson

Tyson, and pretty clearly. Tyson was close to Louis' equal in terms of offensive arsenal. Power, hand speed, shot selection, set ups, killer instinct etc. It's a pick' em between the 2 when they're being compared in all the above. Louis just has the distinct advantage of being a clearly better combination puncher and infighter. There's a solid chance that Tyson gets him if he plays his cards right.

Foreman doesn't have anything going for him when compared to Louis, aside from power. He could be countered after overcommitting, and was often left unbalanced. That's the worst thing to be against Louis, who will not miss his chance to take advantage of an opening and finish the job immediately. It's unlikely he gets his puncher's chance, as he is facing a man even more dangerous than him, something he wasn't ever used to in his prime, and would most likely lose the exchanges.

The gist of it is this: Foreman has a puncher's chance, but Tyson has a genuine case.

 

I don’t like Mikes chances just because his inside work consisted of getting square and mutually clinching up…. MT might work on the way in but he will end up inside and… I think if Douglas noticed Tyson’s flaws and Holyfield’s team did to Blackburn would be able to and mix a bit of both of those guys work. On the inside they’re both mince and couldn’t fight there a lick, despite it both will put themselves there constantly.

 

George might be able to put Louis down for a second or two like some guys did getting brave but man… this will be a slaughter… Louis will be teeing off on him like a machine gun - this ain’t Ron Lyle folks!

 

I think Tyson would be more dangerous to Louis...early. Depends on many factors, one of which is if Tyson can get past Louis' crisp jabs and uppercuts. If Tyson can do that, then he can really crowd and overwhelm Louis with his short but swift powerful combinations. The most worrisome thing as a manger/trainer of Louis for me would be trying to convince Louis not to just mix things up with a guy whose got just as lethal combination punching. The saving grace is Louis has the superior ring IQ and overall technique, so if it gets to the late rounds or a decision, things start looking bright for the brown bomber. Overall, I'd give Tyson a slight edge in that matchup unless he underestimates Louis or runs out of steam past the 5th.

As for Foreman, this also depends on some factors. The Gil Clancy Foreman doesn't have much of a chance outside of the proverbial puncher's chance. Sure he tried to pace himself better, tried throwing straighter punches and jabbed more while fighting a little smarter, but Foreman had many brain fart moments that could cost him against a clinical combo/counter master like Louis. Clancy Foreman would sometimes hesitate, doubt himself, left himself wide open for right hands, or wasted punches without much on them.

Prime Foreman however would be extremely dangerous as he had basically zero fear or respect for many opponents once he knew he could hurt them. If Foreman won the battle of the jabs and started belting Louis with body shots, backed him up, and bullied him, that is just going to lead to Foreman finding his rhythm & gaining confidence, and it's only a matter of time before he crushes Louis. I don't think that's the most likely scenario, however. Foreman would need to walk through a mine field of sharp punches from all over the place at long, mid, and short range no matter how he fights Louis. Aside from a few brief moments where Louis fought with anger and walked into something such as against Galento, Louis was a very professional boxer who exercised both caution and a cold focus that could give him the edge against the seek-and-destroy mentality of Foreman.

So essentially what I'm getting at is, if Louis is careful and picks his shots well with responsible defense, he has a good chance of winning against Foreman. Biggest issue would be Louis' chin and the fact he wasn't much of a stick and move or fight off the back foot defensive guy, so he'd be in constant danger of the larger Foreman's looping bombs.


Overall, based on styles, I think prime vs prime, Tyson would be slightly more dangerous to Louis due to Tyson's hand speed, accuracy, and defense so long as he fights responsible and keeps his guard up.

 

Both Tyson AND Foreman would pose a threat to Joe Louis, but I agree with those who say Tyson. His style was more conducive to landing quicker and more effectively on Louis

 

X2 Great post!

 

Tough one. Tyson physically, Foreman psychologically. I want to say Tyson but he is so untrustworthy.

 

Tyson is the more difficult opponent due to styles. He virtually matches Louis in handspeed and he too puts punches together brilliantly, and is able to shut you eyes with either hand. If one thinks logically, IMO, this fight will have every chance of being lucky to get out of the first round. Tyson is incredibly aggressive and explosive as soon as that first gong sounds and Louis is a come forward stalking fighter who is in his element exchanging. Both are going to back their natural style to overwhelm the other. Both have huge power in either hand, have compact pinpoint punches and are among the best finishers in history. On top of this Louis isn't a hugger or clincher and prefers to slash his way out of trouble. Even after getting knocked down he is looking to snipe the guy cutting loose looking for the finish and he can turn the fight in a flash. Neither ever really goes to a plan B.

So the fight is going to erupt in the first round. That round would go down in history. It may well be the only round. IMO it goes 3 tops. Pick your winner, who can take the others shots? Can one of them get the other out of there if he hurts him first? Their history of not getting stopped early means next to nothing in this one. Neither can really play for time once hurt, they let their offense go in such times.

The more i think about it the more it equals an early KO.

 

Yeah I'd go Tyson too because of the reasons listed above. Also I'd add that Tyson was more defensively responsible than Foreman, and that Louis himself stated he did not like to be crowded. Foreman liked to fight at the same range Louis did, and Tyson liked to get right up close.

 

Tyson