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

[potatoes]

"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...-0109?src=digg

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

One more reason to believe that Holyfield is becoming senile.

Comparing boxing with other sports is ridiculous because boxing is getting worse not better. Journeyman boxers today get run over by contenders, but in Joe Louis's time they could at least defend themselves reasonably well. The best heavyweight of the last ten years is obviously Lennox Lewis, but he never put in 12 hard rounds. What would he do if he had Rocky Marciano or Joe Frazier harrassing him round after round? Saying that Joe Louis is slow is really quite laughable. In his prime he knocked down opponent after opponent with his famous six inch punch. Would Holyfield be able to beat Joe Louis? Perhaps, but it is a style issue. Louis had a problem with good boxers like Holyfield who used a lot of lateral movement. That has NOTHING to do with any kind of modern superiority.

[Bhopreign]

One more reason to believe that Holyfield is becoming senile.

Comparing boxing with other sports is ridiculous because boxing is getting worse not better. Journeyman boxers today get run over by contenders, but in Joe Louis's time they could at least defend themselves reasonably well. The best heavyweight of the last ten years is obviously Lennox Lewis, but he never put in 12 hard rounds. What would he do if he had Rocky Marciano or Joe Frazier harrassing him round after round? Saying that Joe Louis is slow is really quite laughable. In his prime he knocked down opponent after opponent with his famous six inch punch. Would Holyfield be able to beat Joe Louis? Perhaps, but it is a style issue. Louis had a problem with good boxers like Holyfield who used a lot of lateral movement. That has NOTHING to do with any kind of modern superiority.

He's really talking about slow afoot. Joe pawed with the jab and it was slow, it was a setup punch though to lull you to sleep, right hand was fast, jab too when he wanted it to be, but Ali was only saying that Joe wouldnt be able to find him and I beleive it for the most part, its pretty easy to see. As far as the evolutionary part, its mostly true also, guys today are bigger, if you dont think size plays a difference it does. I can name quite a few that I think would have beat Joe Louis, alot of it to do with their size, but skill also.

[-Swizzy-]

"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...-0109?src=digg

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

its true but it doesn't need to be said. it's kind of disrespectful to Louis' legacy especially for what he went through. but after one of Holyfield's interviews where he mentions god like 30 times in 2mins, I know he isn't the brightest bulb so I'm not surprised at what he said.

[Johnny Rebel]

Joe Louis was a great fighter but he did get KO in his prime against Max Schmeling, so he was beatable. Holyfield would certainly be a tough fight for Louis, prime for prime.

[Underdog82]

Holyfield is right, old time champions are overrated.

Except for Ray Robinson.

[Sin City]

the styles of then where different then the ones of now.. different equipment as well.
using what they had then they wouldn't be able to make it today.. BUT if they where around today they would have the same access to things as any other champs so how is it that they wouldn't make it?

It's just as easy to say that a boxer of today wouldn't make it back then.

[Sin City]

disrespectful, but its true.

If you really believe that then you are an idiot.

[BattlingNelson]

"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...-0109?src=digg

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

Ridiculous.

Comparisons across eras is always difficult, but Louis dominated the crop of HW's available at that time. If he had the same acces to TV as the modern HW's have I doubt the difference would be anything other than marginal.

Holyfield saying that "Louis had twenty-five consecutive wins as a champion because they didn't have videotape. You couldn't pick up his style unless you was in there with him." is just plain bull****. Louis had his toughest fight against Billy Conn the first time they fought. The second time they fought Louis left no doubt as to who was the better man. So Louis also learned an opponents style. But that was from fighting.

Oh and of course that same argument goes for Schmeling too. First time a hard loss. Second time a vicious KO for Louis.

[KILLA RIGHT]

If joe had videotape he would kill holy in 3 rounds.

[cuzfozzy]

how many rounds did they fight back in joe louis's day ???