1991 Mike Tyson vs prime Joe Louis

[billeau2]

In this one a few things come to mind:

Louis was decked, but seldom down for the count... Schmelling did it. So could he survive getting decked by Tyson? Galento hit pretty hard and Louis was able...

What about reach? Would this enable Louis to get there first?
Holmes, pasr prime took Tyson's shots for a while, but he probably had a better chin than Louis.

And both men went on the offense... So it may well be a case of who caught who first.

[a.rihn]

If Louis makes it through the first round (or two) without getting KOd, I'd say he takes the win. Outboxes and outlasts Tyson, wins by late stoppage or points.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Reading through these comments. You can tell who competed in sports past High School and who didn't.

I respect Louis a lot. But I challenge anyone brave enough to tell me how Bob Foster did when confronted with men bigger than he.

[billeau2]

Reading through these comments. You can tell who competed in sports past High School and who didn't.

I respect Louis a lot. But I challenge anyone brave enough to tell me how Bob Foster did when confronted with men bigger than he.

Foster also went up in weight against some of the best of any era, could that have something to do with it? Even guys like Foley and Jones were excellent heavy weights.

Sometimes its not the right time for even a great light heavy to move up to heavyweight.

Louis was a real heavyweight, he didn't even have to give any size away to Tyson... With that said, there is some merit to the idea that Tyson was just too physical for Louis, it would not suprise me. But then I think the difference between getting hit with a Louis jab, and the jabs Mike walked through...

I think of how a faded Holmes hung in there a long time, and frankly it makes me wonder.

[REDEEMER]

Foster also went up in weight against some of the best of any era, could that have something to do with it? Even guys like Foley and Jones were excellent heavy weights.

Sometimes its not the right time for even a great light heavy to move up to heavyweight.

Louis was a real heavyweight, he didn't even have to give any size away to Tyson... With that said, there is some merit to the idea that Tyson was just too physical for Louis, it would not suprise me. But then I think the difference between getting hit with a Louis jab, and the jabs Mike walked through...

I think of how a faded Holmes hung in there a long time, and frankly it makes me wonder.

Tyson would have had Louis by a good 15 pounds really so Louis would give up size and no one near 200 pounds ever came close to defeating Mike if were talking louis fought many fights at below a 200 pound mark, Mike was a master inside fighter which gets unnoticed he was able to get there with the jab , louis was more stagnate with it.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Foster also went up in weight against some of the best of any era, could that have something to do with it? Even guys like Foley and Jones were excellent heavy weights.

Sometimes its not the right time for even a great light heavy to move up to heavyweight.

Louis was a real heavyweight, he didn't even have to give any size away to Tyson... With that said, there is some merit to the idea that Tyson was just too physical for Louis, it would not suprise me. But then I think the difference between getting hit with a Louis jab, and the jabs Mike walked through...

I think of how a faded Holmes hung in there a long time, and frankly it makes me wonder.

Holmes stayed upright against Cooney and Witherspoon - guys I'd also puck to beat Louis, and consider likely to win by KO. Shavers put Larry down, but he got back up... something he chose not to do against Tyson.
In fact, i'm surprised fough even mentioned Holmes since he merely fought to stay alive against Tyson. And while past his best, his future career clearly indicates he wasn't shot. I don't believe Spinks was shot, either. He was doing his next work - albeit against unfit competition. Those wins simply illustrate how great Tyson was.

Louis could easily bulk up and it wouldn't hurt him, since this is Tyson coming at him, not Conn or Braddock playing keep-away. But he's just too easy to find. Bruno and Tillis caught Tyson. Pinklon Thomas showed a nice jab. Tucker made a hero's stand. None of that slowed Mike's roll.

This ain't Tony Galento or Jimmy Braddock. This is a shark who smells blood.

[billeau2]

Tyson would have had Louis by a good 15 pounds really so Louis would give up size and no one near 200 pounds ever came close to defeating Mike if were talking louis fought many fights at below a 200 pound mark, Mike was a master inside fighter which gets unnoticed he was able to get there with the jab , louis was more stagnate with it.

You have to consider reach... Especially if we are assuming Louis jab would affect Mike. Thats inconclusive whether it would or not... Louis was always in exceptional physical condition like most fighters back then... He did try to cut weight to fight Conn, so one would think if he thought to would benefit him he coukd add weight for Tyson and come in just over 200 pounds, or so.

[billeau2]

Holmes stayed upright against Cooney and Witherspoon - guys I'd also puck to beat Louis, and consider likely to win by KO. Shavers put Larry down, but he got back up... something he chose not to do against Tyson.
In fact, i'm surprised fough even mentioned Holmes since he merely fought to stay alive against Tyson. And while past his best, his future career clearly indicates he wasn't shot. I don't believe Spinks was shot, either. He was doing his next work - albeit against unfit competition. Those wins simply illustrate how great Tyson was.

Louis could easily bulk up and it wouldn't hurt him, since this is Tyson coming at him, not Conn or Braddock playing keep-away. But he's just too easy to find. Bruno and Tillis caught Tyson. Pinklon Thomas showed a nice jab. Tucker made a hero's stand. None of that slowed Mike's roll.

This ain't Tony Galento or Jimmy Braddock. This is a shark who smells blood.

Holmes was well past twilight in the Tyson fight... Galento had skills. Yeah Louis was not hard to find.

[Tatabanya]

There is a good probability that Joe could more than hold his own against all of them in a 15 round fight, in my opinion.

I think Louis would have beaten some of them in the same night.

[REDEEMER]

You have to consider reach... Especially if we are assuming Louis jab would affect Mike. Thats inconclusive whether it would or not... Louis was always in exceptional physical condition like most fighters back then... He did try to cut weight to fight Conn, so one would think if he thought to would benefit him he coukd add weight for Tyson and come in just over 200 pounds, or so.

Mike against taller jabbers excelled because he used opponents jabs against them and as a gage of distance to slip under them and these guys were well over 6'3 and moved a lot, Louis was a plodder in comparison i cant see a guy like that a much threat to Tyson and what size gloves are they wearing ? Imagine Mike with those little gloves back in Joe Louis days ? Louis said Marciano would have always beat him because of his cramping style ,if he can do it i dont see why a much formidable Tyson couldn't .