Can we stop pretending previous generation heavyweights are too small? Usyk and Joe Louis are the same size

[Boxing-1013]

Joe Louis was undisputed heavyweight champion for 12 consecutive years, defending the title 25 consecutive times.

He can compete in any era.

Just imagine if Tyson Fury beat Oleksander Usyk in 2023.

His next fight would be defense number one of the undisputed championship.

Do you think he could make 25 more defenses and stay champion until 2035?

Theres not a chance in hell.

So let’s not say it’s hard to compare eras. Good heavyweights existed at some point between 1937 and 1949. Joe Louis just beat them all.

He’ll fit in today, don’t worry.

You are aware that Joe Louis had the 'bum of the month' club, correct? Lol

To say that a guy from 80 years ago would definitely fit in for today's era, you would have to be the most arrogant fool in the world to proclaim that. The odds are against it but it isn't impossible.

[mick1303]

...

The only thing about Usyk that is a drawback is just like Roy said, he lacks that explosive, concussive power. His boxing skills and IQ make up for that, but he's going to have to go the distance with a lot of guys.

Usyk stopped plenty of guys. While he lacks concussive power, he has other weapon. Or at least he had until now. His weapon is his cardio. His opponent can't relax and under constant assault. It tires guys out. I bet it was noticed by Joshua camp and they decided to counter it by Joshua coming light and banking on his own endurance. It was not a bad plan, because their line of reasoning was that Usyk's constant movement has to tire him out more than his opponent. So basically it goes like this - Usyk has a bigger tank but he also burns fuel at higher rate. Joshua had to keep Usyk on his toes but himself do not spend excessive amount of energy. But they did not quite expect that Usyk will be offensive to such degree. Joshua tried but ultimately he had to burn his stamina at higher rate than his camp expected - just to keep up. And it ended up with him barely standing. Usyk also was on the verge - but still in better shape.

[hugh grant]

If your good enough, your big enough.

[YGriffith]

Most of those lack the skill to preform what Usyk did.

[soul_survivor]

Louis was 6-2. Usyk is 6-3.

Louis had a 76 inch reach. Usyk has a 78 inch reach.

Joe Louis’ highest weight was 218. Usyk was 220 last night. That’s the first time Usyk ever weighed more than Louis’ highest weight.

Louis also weighed more than 200 pounds for almost all of his 69 fights. Usyk has weighed more than 200 pounds three times.

1 inch in height, 2 inches in reach.

Nice try though.

Ok, you want to get technical lil boy -

Louis was actually 6'1.5'' inches, not 6'2''. He was also a man who spent his entire career at heavyweight and is still undersized by 1.5 inches in height and 2 inches in reach. If you ever boxed, you'd know a 2 inch reach advantage is quite a bit. Usyk is much the bigger man. Heck, Louis started his career just barely above 180 lb...Usyk has weight 200 or more pounds on 8 occasions and never weighed less than a 198lb.

SMH

[ShaneMosleySr]

Do you think Joe Louis’ domination has something to do with that reputation?

How could someone win the title if he doesn’t give it up?

There were plenty of good heavyweights in a 12 year period.

Its not like that’s the one decade without good heavyweights.

You are aware that Joe Louis had the 'bum of the month' club, correct? Lol

To say that a guy from 80 years ago would definitely fit in for today's era, you would have to be the most arrogant fool in the world to proclaim that. The odds are against it but it isn't impossible.

[ShaneMosleySr]

6-1.5, 218, 76 inch reach

6-3, 220, 78 inch reach

Those two people are the same size.

Ok, you want to get technical lil boy -

Louis was actually 6'1.5'' inches, not 6'2''. He was also a man who spent his entire career at heavyweight and is still undersized by 1.5 inches in height and 2 inches in reach. If you ever boxed, you'd know a 2 inch reach advantage is quite a bit. Usyk is much the bigger man. Heck, Louis started his career just barely above 180 lb...Usyk has weight 200 or more pounds on 8 occasions and never weighed less than a 198lb.

SMH

[Boxing-1013]

Do you think Joe Louis’ domination has something to do with that reputation?

How could someone win the title if he doesn’t give it up?

There were plenty of good heavyweights in a 12 year period.

Its not like that’s the one decade without good heavyweights.

Athletes get bigger better and stronger man. Guys fighting back then had more amateur style training compared to today's fighters. Just the way it was.

[ShaneMosleySr]

Weird that Joe Louis was the same size as the guy that just beat Anthony Joshua then.

Athletes get bigger better and stronger man. Guys fighting back then had more amateur style training compared to today's fighters. Just the way it was.

[Boxing-1013]

Weird that Joe Louis was the same size as the guy that just beat Anthony Joshua then.

But was he a better boxer? Who knows