Joe Louis vs Larry Holmes

[Wild Blue Yonda]

Holmes is a bit overated IMO. but I have a hard time picking Louis in fights because he simply never fought anyone like Holmes or as good. Louis had next to 0 movement and his oponents never gave him a reason to learn how to do so.

Holmes is 6'4 with an 81 reach and probably the fastest HW jab to date. When Louis fought a shorter craftier guy like even Walcott, you can see the problems that occur when they don't just stand in front of him and **** away. Not saying the fight would be one sided, but I see Louis taking a lot of hard right hands coming in, probably losing a decision. Anything Louis lands I feel Holmes could weather, he had a good chin.

I'm sorry, & the guys similar to, & as good as Louis, who Holmes fought were...?

I have no hesitation in saying Louis fought the better opponents.

[The Surgeon]

Hmmm, tough fight but i pick Louis to win over the distance possibly scoring a KD along the way, Larry has a great chin, awesome recovery powers and knows how to stall, move, clinch and generally get through a crisis so i see him lasting the course and i can also imagine Holmes giving Joe some problems with that Jab

Brown Bomber UD

[GJC]

Holmes has got a great jab great chin good stamina and great ring craft. If you were in Louis time and thinking of a blueprint for a fighter who could possibly beat Louis you'd come up with someone pretty close to Holmes. I'd favour Louis by late ko but in a ten fight series I'd fancy Holmes to nick a couple.

[GJC]

I would go so far as to say Holmes gets UNDERRATED by more than a fair few around here. Still, I got Louis here. No cakewalk for Joe and I figure Holmes will win some rounds on his jab alone but Louis generates a good volume of precision offense and over the course of 15 rounds that's going to tell on the scorecards. No KO as Holmes' chin is too good so call it Louis UD in a very competitive, very good fight.

Poet

Poet, run your thingy over this fight please? You know what I mean your predictor thingy!!!

[StarshipTrooper]

Poet, run your thingy over this fight please? You know what I mean your predictor thingy!!!

I'll see if I can squeeze it in this afternoon :hah9:

Poet

[The_Demon]

Intriguing match-up,i like Louis by competitive decision

[them_apples]

I would go so far as to say Holmes gets UNDERRATED by more than a fair few around here. Still, I got Louis here. No cakewalk for Joe and I figure Holmes will win some rounds on his jab alone but Louis generates a good volume of precision offense and over the course of 15 rounds that's going to tell on the scorecards. No KO as Holmes' chin is too good so call it Louis UD in a very competitive, very good fight.

Poet

Holmes had a good run at HW, but in terms of opposition it wasn't great.

Still, Cooney, Spinks, and Norton are all decent enough names. He did fight Holyfield and Tyson in their primes too. Put up a solid fight against the real deal.

I just see with his lighting fast hands, being able to pick away at Louis. He might take some big shots, but in his prime Holmes showed an excellent chin.

I guess its hard to call someone an overated HW, because honestly, there have really only been 2 strong eras in this division. The rest were simply like it is now - a small amount of elites, the rest nobodies.

[them_apples]

I'm sorry, & the guys similar to, & as good as Louis, who Holmes fought were...?

I have no hesitation in saying Louis fought the better opponents.

he didn't fight anyone as good, but he has the tools. also to an even greater degree, Louis fought nobody half as good as Holmes. I don't see this as a cake walk, because Holmes did have his limitations, and Louis was a very determined man. I just see the decision in Holmes favor.

[StarshipTrooper]

Holmes had a good run at HW, but in terms of opposition it wasn't great.

Still, Cooney, Spinks, and Norton are all decent enough names. He did fight Holyfield and Tyson in their primes too. Put up a solid fight against the real deal.

I just see with his lighting fast hands, being able to pick away at Louis. He might take some big shots, but in his prime Holmes showed an excellent chin.

I guess its hard to call someone an overated HW, because honestly, there have really only been 2 strong eras in this division. The rest were simply like it is now - a small amount of elites, the rest nobodies.

There are some eras as well that you could say are "average" and some that definately weak. Tyson's level of opposition was no better then Holmes' was yet he gets consistantly OVERrated. The era from '75 to about '91 was poor......though not nearly as poor as the the past 10 years or so have been. '45 to '55 was pretty weak too. I'd tag '55-'65 as being average and a long run from '15 to '45 as being average as well. The really strong eras being '65-'75, '91-2000, and 1900-'15. It's pretty hit or miss with the Heavies and one of the reasons I don't think one can rely solely on resumes when rating them.

Poet

[Wild Blue Yonda]

he didn't fight anyone as good, but he has the tools. also to an even greater degree, Louis fought nobody half as good as Holmes. I don't see this as a cake walk, because Holmes did have his limitations, and Louis was a very determined man. I just see the decision in Holmes favor.

Louis fought better competition across the board, & he fought more quality men in Holmes' style than Holmes did quality men in Louis'.