Which Of The "Old Guys '', Give Joe Louis The Harder Fight?

As far as giving Joe a tough fight, I’d probably put Johnson and Dempsey on par, expressed via their own styles and given strengths.

I could impinge Dempsey’s potentially achieving more intense successes concentrated into a shorter period while Jack could be a steadily consistent problem for the Bomber over the long haul.


As to ultimate outcomes, I think Louis catches up with a Dempsey via mid to late round KO - while gaining a unanimous albeit frustrating decision over Johnson.

We didn’t necessarily see/read Johnson coping with the speed and multi punch combinations that Louis would deliver.

However, I think Johnson did display a level of defensive skills on film that can be extrapolated on to reasonably assume he could still deal with greater than that which we see him easily deal with on film - and those skills include Johnson’s ability to clutch and grapple.

Otherwise, if Louis’ offence is beyond Jack’s defensive abilities, it could be a short night for Lil Arthur. That’s not a knock on Johnson’s chin - which I feel is underrated - but it would be Joe Louis doing the punching after all…

 

Really appreciate the kind words. Respect. Have a good one.

 

If I had to single out just one name, it would be Jack Dempsey. I give him the best chance, but I don't claim that he would win.