Holyfield says Joe Louis couldn't make it in boxing today

[Dynamite Kid]

I agree... Joe Louis is an american hero. The ability to brawl has been around for a century, but technical skill has only grown by leaps and bounds over the last 25 years. Thats what made Ali so great, is technically he was WAY ahead of his time. Jerry Quarry, George Chuvallo, Oscar Bonavena... they all faught the same way... come forward, take a punch to land a punch and turn this into a war of attrition.

As far as technical skill, Louis was also ahead of his time, so I think that he would hold his own versus the top level Light Heavies and Cruiserweights, but not the Heavyweights. A BIG heavyweight in Louis' time was 215-220.

But if Jack Johnson were born 65 years later than he was... the only Jack Johnson history would speak of is the singer-surfer-songwriter.

Good post

Ali kinda revolutionized a new style of Boxing imo.

Was there a fighter of that era who had the fluid movement of Muhammad Ali a guy who could punch on the fly whilst backing up etc ?

One thing Ali proved to me is using footwork and upperbody movement to avoid punches is just as important as holding your hands up. I think that is what separated his style from a lot of the other fighters around his era, they thought it was better to hold your hands high and be aggressive.

[TheGreatA]

I agree... Joe Louis is an american hero. The ability to brawl has been around for a century, but technical skill has only grown by leaps and bounds over the last 25 years. Thats what made Ali so great, is technically he was WAY ahead of his time. Jerry Quarry, George Chuvallo, Oscar Bonavena... they all faught the same way... come forward, take a punch to land a punch and turn this into a war of attrition.

Ali was only ahead of everyone athletically. His technique was flawed but he got away with it.

Quarry was a good counterpuncher, Bonavena was a very good inside fighter who didn't usually come forward.

Frazier was more of a typical come forward, take one to give one fighter and he troubled Ali.


Bonavena vs Frazier


Quarry vs Spencer

As far as technical skill, Louis was also ahead of his time, so I think that he would hold his own versus the top level Light Heavies and Cruiserweights, but not the Heavyweights. A BIG heavyweight in Louis' time was 215-220.

A big heavyweight in Louis' time was over 6'5, 240+ lbs like Buddy Baer, Primo Carnera and Abe Simon... They were all too slow for Louis who picked them apart.

[FreshPrince]

If you have time, here is a good thing on Ali rating all the former champs












________
L-SERIES TRUCK

[Mr. Ryan]

Joe Louis TKO5 Holyfield

[Mike Tyson77]

"Jesse Owens couldn't even make the Olympic team today. It's the same with boxing. I always just look at Joe Louis, I say, You know what, he kind of slow. I'd tear him up.

People say, Joe Louis had twenty-five consecutive wins as a champion. That's because they didn't have videotape. You couldn't pick up his style unless you was in there with him."

http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/evander-holyfield-quotes-0109?src=digg

This was a recent interview too (October 29, 2008). Anyone agree?

Holy couldnt make in in todays heavys. Joe louis would kill holy.

[!! Shawn]

Ali's right in a way when he talks about Joe's footwork; it may be to slow to get to Ali in his prime (prior to exile).

Now I'm not sure if Joe shuffled in the manner he did because he just didn't have the speed of foot, which I doubt since I've seen footage of him running, or was he just not trained to fight in a Dempsey like manner with sprinting forward to make up room; which is possible.
But Ali shouldn't act like it will be easy; he was knocked down twice before his exile by fighters of lesser quality than Joe.

And he took The best punch that Ernie Shavers had to offer.

The fight would not be competitive. Ali would do what Billy Conn did but better.

[MikeBrew328]

Joe Louis was fundamentally flawed. Look at how many times he was knocked down. He won his fights on punching power and heart.....

[MOREBASS]

I agree with the point that Holy is trying to make though.



Athletes get bigger, stronger, and faster as time goes on.

Its simple genetics.

Couple that with the technologic advances in training, nutrition, and even the evolution of the sweet science and you have a huge advantage for today's athletes.

[potatoes]

Comparing the skills of heavyweights of the past with Muhammad Ali, makes as much sense as comparing him to heavyweights of the present. At the moment the Klitschko sisters are probably the best in the division, yet they can't perform like Ali despite the unbelievably easy opposition they have been getting. Ali was a superstar.

[TheGreatA]

I could be wrong but I believe Holyfield said that Ali was a "media creation". He also said that Tyson used steroids.

I like him as a fighter but he does have quite an ego like most fighters...