10 greatest title reigns

[Steak]

Chavez has a claim to this list, but no way should he be rated above Louis. His 13 defenes at 140 is pretty good, but it should have only been 11, as Pernell Whitaker was robbed in their fight. I would rate his 9 defenses at 130 slightly higher, as it came against better fighters in my opinion.

The Whitaker fight was at 147lbs anyway, so it wouldnt have made a difference when it came to his 140 reign.

Its pretty hard to make this kind of a list,because most fighters end up changing weight classes or losing at least once during their reign.

[Slimey Limey]

Please. The dude's record has more padding than the Stay-Puff Marshmellow Man.

Poet

Joe Louis - Bum of the month club. That's padding for ya mate.

[StarshipTrooper]

Joe Louis - Bum of the month club. That's padding for ya mate.

You might want to go over to BoxRec and actually LOOK at who the "Bum Of The Month Club" contained. Those so-called bums were a who's who of the 1940s Heavyweight division.

PS. "Padding" is taking on an endless series of local "toughs" in Mexican bars which is what Chavez did.

Poet

[JAB5239]

You might want to go over to BoxRec and actually LOOK at who the "Bum Of The Month Club" contained. Those so-called bums were a who's who of the 1940s Heavyweight division.


Poet

Very true. From 1934 till 1951 Louis was taking on contenders, former champs and top contenders for his title. They were only the "bum of the month club" because of the way Louis dominated them. Without Joe in the Picture the would have never been called that.

[Hook]

I wouldn't put Calzaghe in the top 10, though his run as a champ is impressive because of its longevity. Problem is, he didn't start making the toughest fights till the end of his career and those came against a guy who legacy has still to yet be defined (Kessler) and man more than 40 years old (Hopkins). Still, he had a good run though.

The Hopkins fight wasn't for his WBO title at SM so not really part of the reign. So basically that leaves a win against Kessler - it's hardly the stuff of legends. Even Ottkes reign is more impressive - he was the recognised SMW champ by Ring and has better names in the likes of Johnson. Until Ottke retired Calzaghe was not even the recoginsed champ - how is that a great title reigh. Ottke also fought the guys Calzaghe beat, before him. Calzaghe picked up the scraps.

Also the WBO was seen as worthless and a bit of a joke back in the 90s and more or less a euro belt.

[warp1432]

I wouldn't have Hopkins as high as two, but I think he belongs in the top 10. He may have not had a loaded division, but he had a lot of solid names on there and a couple of great fighters. I'd rank Hagler and Monzon above him, but I think he deserves a shout out.

[-CANE-]

Joe Louis may have beaten the best of his era and fought 14 HOF'ers.

But he never beat 14 HOF'ers in his title defenses which is what we are talking about.

How great were these fighters that he beat in his reign.

I say his best wins were Schmeling and Walcott twice.

Joe Louis was a great great fighter and his reign is exceptional in terms of longevity but I don't think its as great as you and others make out in terms of quality of opposition.

Sure there were some good fighters and the odd very good fighter but not great.

Take Salvador Sanchez for instance. Now his title reign included some great fighters and who knows how long he could have reigned for but for that tragic accident.

Danny Lopez twice, Juan LaPorte, Ruben Castillo, Wilfredo Gomez and Azumah Nelson.

[Slimey Limey]

You might want to go over to BoxRec and actually LOOK at who the "Bum Of The Month Club" contained. Those so-called bums were a who's who of the 1940s Heavyweight division.

PS. "Padding" is taking on an endless series of local "toughs" in Mexican bars which is what Chavez did.

Poet

Very true. From 1934 till 1951 Louis was taking on contenders, former champs and top contenders for his title. They were only the "bum of the month club" because of the way Louis dominated them. Without Joe in the Picture the would have never been called that.

They were called this for a reason. Plus I see a large amount of hypocrisy since you're the same type of lad who critisizes Tyson and Lewis' opposition, and don't acknowledge the same argument people use("They were made to look like bums" etc)
Unless you can elaborate on how every opponent he beat in his title reign was decent or great, it's still a padded title reign and was rightfully called Bum of the month club.
Also Jabs, mate. WIthout Louis these fighters would have been forgotten, except for Walcott, Charles, Marciano, Conn. All of these beat or almost beat Joe.

[StarshipTrooper]

They were called this for a reason. Plus I see a large amount of hypocrisy since you're the same type of lad who critisizes Tyson and Lewis' opposition, and don't acknowledge the same argument people use("They were made to look like bums" etc)
Unless you can elaborate on how every opponent he beat in his title reign was decent or great, it's still a padded title reign and was rightfully called Bum of the month club.
Also Jabs, mate. WIthout Louis these fighters would have been forgotten, except for Walcott, Charles, Marciano, Conn. All of these beat or almost beat Joe.

Horse****. Compared to the guys Louis was fighting Tyson's opposition looks like the ****in' Mickey Mouse Club. Come to think of it compared to damn near ANY Heavyweight titlist's opposition it looks like the ****in' Mickey Mouse Club. Tyson won his first title from Trevor ****ing Berbick: Damn near the worst Heavyweight to ever hold a belt.

Just because you personally have never heard of any of the guys on Louis' record doesn't mean they weren't any good. I get the distinct feeling you would be hard pressed to name ANY Heavyweight contender prior to 1980. Historical knowledge of boxing seems to be rather scanty these days especially among the younger crowd.

Poet

[Slimey Limey]

Horse****. Compared to the guys Louis was fighting Tyson's opposition looks like the ****in' Mickey Mouse Club. Come to think of it compared to damn near ANY Heavyweight titlist's opposition it looks like the ****in' Mickey Mouse Club. Tyson won his first title from Trevor ****ing Berbick: Damn near the worst Heavyweight to ever hold a belt.

Just because you personally have never heard of any of the guys on Louis' record doesn't mean they weren't any good. I get the distinct feeling you would be hard pressed to name ANY Heavyweight contender prior to 1980. Historical knowledge of boxing seems to be rather scanty these days especially among the younger crowd.

Poet

I'll be waiting for you to elaborate on Louis' opposition, unless of cource if the only thing you can say is "others are like mickey mouse club(what the fook is that mate?) compared to Joe". Bum of the month club mate, unless you can explain me otherwise.