Who was the best: Ali or Louis?

[-Antonio-]

Is Ali the greatest like he says he is or is Louis?

ESPN just ranked Ali at 2 so it's obvious who's number 1 to them. I personally can not see why it's even close. Ali would have won head to head. Ali had the better resume. Ali transcended the sport as much if not more than Louis. Ali had big fights, and two careers.

Is it because of the defense record? 20 defenses mostly against bums of the month.

[Dynamite Kid]

Is Ali the greatest like he says he is or is Louis?

ESPN just ranked Ali at 2 so it's obvious who's number 1 to them. I personally can not see why it's even close. Ali would have won head to head. Ali had the better resume. Ali transcended the sport as much if not more than Louis. Ali had big fights, and two careers.

Is it because of the defense record? 20 defenses mostly against bums of the month.

not even close Ali was a miles better fighter than Joe Louis

Ali revolutionaised a style aswell ,i would put Ali up against any modern Heavyweight i wouldnt have put Joe Louis in their with any modern great

[TheGreatA]

People underrate Louis because they haven't seen his fights but still, IMO, Ali is number 1. But then again sometimes I feel like Louis is number 1, sometimes not. But I can agree with either being at the number 1 spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnTDtqiYzww

Here's a highlight about Joe Louis (warning: ****** music). He had some vicious KO's.

[Sweet Pete]

not even close Ali was a miles better fighter than Joe Louis

Ali revolutionaised a style aswell ,i would put Ali up against any modern Heavyweight i wouldnt have put Joe Louis in their with any modern great

Usually greatness is not based on how some random fan thinks you'd do against a bigger fighter of a different era, but on what you accomplished in your career.

Still though, Ali takes it.

[mrpain81]

I have Ali #1

He beat so many fighters.

Plus he beat 4 Gold Medal Winners, Patterson,Frazier,Foreman,Spinks.

Joe Louis #2 but I wont argue if somebody has him ahead of Ali.

Merchant has Louis #1 I believe.

[Dynamite Kid]

Usually greatness is not based on how some random fan thinks you'd do against a bigger fighter of a different era, but on what you accomplished in your career.

Still though, Ali takes it.

well greater acclaim is preserved for older fighter than it is for more modern day fighters some of whom are just as talented

its nothing to do with size Tyson ,Holyfield were'nt exactly huge heavyweights, Im talking about style Ali had a style that would have been adaptable with any of todays styles , i dont believe Joe Louis style was edept enough to compete with some of the modern greats

[MELLY-MEL...]

Ali, but louis is not that far off!

[mrpain81]

[Sweet Pete]

well greater acclaim is preserved for older fighter than it is for more modern day fighters some of whom are just as talented

its nothing to do with size Tyson ,Holyfield were'nt exactly huge heavyweights, Im talking about style Ali had a style that would have been adaptable with any of todays styles , i dont believe Joe Louis style was edept enough to compete with some of the modern greats

Again, it's not based on what you think of Louis against modern days HW's in a head to head matchup. I think Rid**** Bowe or Wlad would beat Marciano, but there is no way they accomplished nearly as much in their careers, therefore are not greater fighters. It's about what you do in your time, which is all you can do.

[RightHandLead]

In his prime, Joe Louis was rocked by Schmeling, Braddock, Galento (wtf?), Buddy Baer, Billy Conn (who was MUCH smaller, much lighter hitting).

I don't know if you count the first Walcott fight as a prime Bomber- but the facts stand. Louis was a good puncher, but he was VERY susceptible. In Ali's prime he had nothing more than a couple of flash knockdowns.

Both in terms of competition and skill, Ali was the better fighter.