Joe Louis Is #1 Heavyweight Of All Time

[K-Nine]

And you think those 3 could have beaten him? Foreman would be eating too many jabs from Lewis, and eventually lose it in the later rounds, much like the Ali fight. Ali always had problems with other jabbers, so we know how that goes, against Holmes it's debatable.

That's all speculation.

[TheGreatA]

Joe Louis-
Jim Braddock
Nathan Mann
Max Schmeling
John Henry Lewis
Bob Pastor
Arturo Godoy
Buddy Baer
Billy Conn
Walcott
probebly some others Im not familiar with

Add King Levinsky, Max Baer (former world champ), Primo Carnera (former world champ), Paulino Uzcudun, Jack Sharkey (former world champ), Bob Pastor, Tommy Farr, Tony Galento, Abe Simon, Lou Nova, perhaps some others.

They weren't all great or even good fighters but still, solid top contenders.

Louis fought everyone from 30's to 40's just like Ali did from 60's to 70's.

I would personally rate Ali above Louis but it's close.

Lets not forget, Louis lost some prime years of his career (42-46) by serving in the army, just like Ali did because of the Vietnam draft.

Going undefeated for 16 years (1936-50) is impressive no matter how you look at it, he also reigned as the champion for over 10 years (1937-48), making 20 successful title defenses against top ranked opposition.

Louis is criticized for fighting 'bums' but they were all ranked among the top 15 HW's at the time, it's just that Louis was so far ahead of the pack.

Louis wasn't invincible, he could be beaten but he was a great fighter and cannot be counted out in any match-up, he knew his opponents weaknesses and took advantage of them very well.

Louis' gameplan for Ali was used successfully by Frazier and Norton.

[Ironside]

That's all speculation.

Yea I know, we can only assume, but to assume that he's barely top 5 HW of all time is a little far fetched IMO. I don't see a prime Lewis being underdog to any HW in history.

[Steak]

Add King Levinsky, Max Baer (former world champ), Primo Carnera (former world champ), Paulino Uzcudun, Jack Sharkey (former world champ), Bob Pastor, Tommy Farr, Tony Galento, Abe Simon, Lou Nova, perhaps some others.

They weren't all great or even good fighters but solid top contenders.

Louis fought everyone from 30's to 40's just like Ali did from 60's to 70's.

I would personally rate Ali above Louis but it's close.

ah shoot, I thought I put Max Baer, and forgot all about Sharkey...the rest of them I really havent heard anything great about other than Carnera, and the only good thing Ive seen in his fights was that he was tall, and that was about it. not sure bout the rest of em really

[K-Nine]

Yea I know, we can only assume, but to assume that he's barely top 5 HW of all time is a little far fetched IMO. I don't see a prime Lewis being underdog to any HW in history.

I have him in the top 5, homie. So we're not too far apart on things. It's the #1 spot that I don't agree with, because otherwise, I full acknowledge that he was a great champion.

[TheGreatA]

ah shoot, I thought I put Max Baer, and forgot all about Sharkey...the rest of them I really havent heard anything great about other than Carnera, and the only good thing Ive seen in his fights was that he was tall, and that was about it. not sure bout the rest of em really

Carnera was not a good champion, in fact he might be one of the worst ever.
He was still a champion though and a big guy (6'6, 260 lbs), the way Louis destroyed him was impressive.

The other guys are at the level of Mildenberger, Folley and Williams.

Solid title defenses but nothing too great.

[ragingbull76]

Umm, Ali was fighting in 'hot ass' Africa as well. He was just better conditioned.

YOU SAY ALI WAS FIGHTING IN AFRICA, DID YOU EVEN SEE THAT FIGHT, FOREMAN DID 80% MORE EVERY ROUND, HELLO, ANYBODY HOME MCFLY

[ragingbull76]

Lennox Lewis wasnt the most talented, and he didn't have the best wins. His two best wins came against guys who were well past their primes. One who hadn't seen a prime in damn near 10 years. Please.. he is far from the best. Top ten.. top 5 if you feeling generous.

I AGREE 110%

[ragingbull76]

You got all the answers eh

Ali hit and danced , just like Robinson , SRL , and the current best in the world FMJ ,, these hit and dance guys as you call them beat the **** out of guys that lumber like Louis , the thing that makes the special ones of this style really great is underneath thier first line of defense being truly gifted speed and pin point accuracy they were extremely durable and could fight at fast pace for the whole fight , Ali was never knocked out and fought bigger punchers than Louis ,, I,ll tell you something mate the very best of the hit and dance guys dont get beat too often and never when prime and they are in the zone , this when they make it look easy whipping elite fighters .

NOW YOU WANT TO SAY ALI WAS LIKE ROBINSON, ALI IS NOWHERE NEAR ROBINSON'S CALIBER, I SAID LOUIS IS THE GREATEST HEAVYWEIGHT, BUT SUGAR RAY ROBINSON IS THE GREATEST FIGHTER EVER.....