"How I Would Have Clobbered Clay" By Joe Louis

[Greatest1942]

There you have it, Joe doesn't lie guys.

No but really, I would have loved to have seen a prime Joe give Ali the humbling I always wanted him to see.

Me too...I always believed Louis would win a series vs Ali...never mind its a never ending debate.

[Marchegiano]

The probabilities suggest Joe all day long. Now does that mean Ali can't win, no. Does it mean Ali can't win the majority of the time, yes. Could a total can beat Ali once, yep possible, 15 out of 20, nope Ali doesn't know how to **** up that much that badly. Basically what my point is if you **** with numbers and algorithm you'll see with these guys it comes down to who's going to **** up...make mistakes. Ali has a higher probability of making mistakes, and so a lower probability in winning. I didn't come up with this at all. I'm a chemist, and many-a co-worker are boxing fan. I'll ask my buddy if he's got his math about and post it, but being a Louis supporter anyhow I'd never thought too much about it and simply felt it makes some sense. The fact that Norton used a Louis script to beat Ali's pretty damning IMO.

[StarshipTrooper]

I thought I'd bump this as food for thought since it seems to be a topical subject right now :cool9:

Poet

[Miburo]

Louis would not have had much of a chance against a prime Ali. Very poor style match-up for him.

[MRBOOMER]

Idk I think Ali beats him Ali had a great chin impeccable foot work and great speed and reflexes in his prime. Also incredibly sneaky punches which Louis Got caught a lot with but my real reason is if it's prime for prime the Louis Vs Schmeling fight would be his downfall Ali was ten times the fighter he was but he would catch joe with that right hand all night and combinations to take him out.

Yeah I know I he also destroyed him in the second match up but I don't see that happening to Ali

Louis had great skill great power a pretty good chin but his slow movement I think would kill him in this.

[BattlingNelson]

I actually read it in Ring Magazine BITD, but it was a nice re-read so thanks for posting Poet.

Does anybody see the resemblance towards today? Boxing is never nice towards contemporaries, but as time goes by past accomplishments tends to be viewed in a better light. At the time this piece was written there was all sorts of questionmarks on Ali who was thought as little more than a fast fancy dan who was the best in a weak division. Note how Joe says some of his opponents (Schmeling and others) would have beaten Ali. Not many, if any, would say that today.

[joseph5620]

I thought I'd bump this as food for thought since it seems to be a topical subject right now :cool9:

Poet

I remember when you posted this. Hard to believe it's been two years already.

[TysonBomb]

I think Louis is one of the few heavys that could beat prime Ali

But Ali himself said he was better at fighting boxers than fighters who would just keep coming forward like Frazier or Norton

[BattlingNelson]

BTW imagine the pressure that was on Ali back then.

Note how this article has the no. 1 HW alltime calling Ali for Clay in the bible of boxing Ring Magazine back when that was indeed the bible of boxing.

And Louis followed suit by calling Ali Clay like the establishment wanted.

Everybody hated Ali and you can understand Ali taking the defiance this generated out on challengers like Ernie Terrell.

Oh well. Just a random thought.

[Optimistic]

That was a good read.

I dunno if he couldve actually beaten Ali, but he would have given him one hell of a fight.