Joe Louis in the early 70's and 90's..

[Scott9945]

So prime Ali is not a fleeting boxer who is in there to make guys miss? And, Jimmy Young is superior?? And, if Ali survived the two hardest punchers ever(Foreman and Shavers) how would Joe Louis be able to take him out?! I guess its possible but highly unlikely..

Joe Louis was one of the best finishers in boxing history. He was a stone cold killer in the ring. While Foreman and Shavers were stronger and more powerful, their technique was inferior to Joe Louis.

I'm not saying that Louis would KO Ali, just saying if it happened, that would be why.

[juggernaut666]

So prime Ali is not a fleeting boxer who is in there to make guys miss? And, Jimmy Young is superior?? And, if Ali survived the two hardest punchers ever(Foreman and Shavers) how would Joe Louis be able to take him out?! I guess its possible but highly unlikely..

Ali wouldnt have to worry about louis's power as much as Louis would have to worry about Alis footwork..Ali's chin exceeds Louis's ability to finish him off.Foreman isn't a very good example either anyway he was predictable Ali saw every punch coming a mile away..Louis was faster obviously but not as powerful,they both match up with Ali in a bad way .

[Rspen46]

He would do great!

He would beat them all except Ali, Foreman has that Big Punchers chance against anyone, Holmes and Lewis would have a chance to win decisions, but he does to Tyson what Holyfield did, and Holyfield gets either knocked out or loses a tough decision, Norton never has a shot, Shavers, another huge puncher that could win anytime against anyone, but most likely he weathers his assault and wins, I rate Louis 2nd behind Ali all-time, so no one else beats him but Ali.

[Ascended]

Wouldn't do good cause he never would make it out amateurs cause if being to outdated in movement anybody knows that who seen other era's so dont know why these trolls say he would do good when he wouldnt

[HOUDINI563]

I lived through the 70’s and watched Norton live many times. He has no chance against Louis. Louis on his best night knocks Norton out in the first round.

[Willow The Wisp]

Typical responses and some good insights as per the norm when hypotheticals such as this are querried. You gotta love the twice reiterated respect for the erstwhile Jimmy Young, lol. We must stop assuming any training or technical advancements between 1920 - 2022, as there has been only regression during that span. Put the question to any trainer older than 60, and learn something from their informed response. Size is another matter, unique when scenario prognosticating heavyweight fights, as the 'dufus factor' of diminishing returns for size increase edges up slightly every 20 years or so. But at 6' 2" when he took a breath and just over 200 lbs after a meal, Louis was roughly the same size as Ali and Holmes and a head taller than Tyson; 3 of the 4 guys with any real shot against The Bomber out of the 1970s and 90's.

[Willie Pep 229]

The young Cassius Marcellus Clay would probably have given Louis a tougher go, then the more experienced, but stationary Muhammad Ali.

Can't see Ali using his amazing intangibles with success against Louis. Ali would have found Louis more difficult to hold and neutralize than Frazier or Norton, and Louis would have punched with more precession than Foreman had Ali tried to rope-a-dope him.

On the other hand a young Marcellus would have brought to the fry more Billy Conn than Billy Conn, in size, speed, and a better chin; young Clay would have given Louis a very difficult fight.

[QueensburyRules]

Joe Louis was one of the best finishers in boxing history. He was a stone cold killer in the ring. While Foreman and Shavers were stronger and more powerful, their technique was inferior to Joe Louis.

I'm not saying that Louis would KO Ali, just saying if it happened, that would be why.

- - Gonna quote me auld buddy Scott who knew what he talked of...R.I.P.

[them_apples]

Would he had been as successful in these two eras?

He's gonna do well or better against the most physical opponents. You don't even have to do a stylistic matchup - even in an all out brawl I like his chances against both Foreman and Frazier. His talent was knocking people out with perfect form and leverage and subtle set ups. He's also an athletic phenom and is perfectly proportioned. So he is a talent and would def be somebody in the 70's. He knocks out Norton because both Foreman and Shavers did, and thus - so would Joe Louis in similar fashion.

I think he's going to struggle more with guys like ali who won't engage him. Now obviously, he may adjust his style during this time because it is Joe Louis, but on a first come first serve basis it looks as though he struggles with saftey first fighters and excels in fights or macho situations.

Theres no saying who actually hits the hardest out of the Foreman, Frazier, Louis lineup - but Louis has one thing going for him that made him so dynamic, his accuracy and precision. He would land hard and right on the button. This is how he was literally knocking guys to sleep during his time (couldn't make ten counts). People overlook this, but Louis was the only guy who was consistently knocking opponents OUT COLD, as in snoring on the canvas. Other punchers did this, but usually in a one off highlight real tape. The only other guy I can think of that did this was Julian Jackson, though I'm sure a few more exist. In Louis' time for those that saw it in the flesh and not on fuzzy film with ****ty frame rates, Louis was an absolute demon.

[Ascended]

Alot of dumb comments from crazy idiots joe would be destroyed by holy who moved way to good from angles bowe tucker and others destroy him easy