Joe Louis vs Larry Holmes Who wins?

Question

15 rounds Both in there prime

Answer 1

Larry Holmes was awesome in his prime, and held some of the same attributes that made Joe Louis great. He was a very skilled boxer, had a punishing jab and right, a great counter-puncher, he had good power, stamina, heart and speed. In addition to this, his chin was rock solid. Holmes may very well be able to get the decision in this fight...

...However, Joe Louis is in my book the second greatest Heavyweight of all time, behind Muhammad Ali. He was possibly more skilled than was Holmes, he had more power and faster hands. Although decked twice by Schmeling when he was still improving, and stung by Walcott, Charles and even Billy Conn (who was a Light Heavy), Joe's chin was better than many give him credit for. That wouldn't matter though, as I don't feel Holmes carried the power to knock Louis out in any case.

I see Holmes winning the first half of the fight by using his mobility to stay out of reach from the slow-footed Louis. Louis was nothing if not patient, and I see him catching up to Holmes later on. With faster hands, better skill and superior punching power, Louis would hit Holmes with lightning combinations to the head and body.

Holmes' cast iron chin might help him to survive, but a late stoppage would not surprise me. Either that, or Louis wins by close decision.

Joe Louis by UD

Answer 2

Wow! Larry's really come up the rankings. I've never seen this one asked before, it's always Muhhammad Ali v Joe Louis, as it is always assumed Louis could beat anyone else in his prime. Most people's all time rankings start 1. Muhammad Ali 2. Joe Louis and then rank the other greats behind them. Now I see most responses to this question have Larry winning!

Thinking about it, Larry had a very close fight with Norton, and in my opinion Louis would have taken Norton apart. Larry was also beaten by Michael Spinks and too easily by Tyson when Larry was out of his prime. He even took too many punches from Leon Spinks for 2 1/2 rounds when he was in his prime. You can't beat possibly the greatest boxer ever (Louis) just by having a good jab. I'd rate Larry top 15 easily but there's no way he beats Louis - Louis wins this by late KO/TKO or unanimous decision.

Answer 3

thumbs up to rjj fan, i too recently watched the holmes vs l spinks fight and if leon had more power (and was more seasoned) the result could have been different.

louis had the power and hand speed to take a close decision......and would have won the rematch with room to spare.

Answer 4

I think Larry Holmes wins this one.  

Joe always had difficulty with slick boxers and they don't come much slicker than Larry.  If you don't have the speed to match Larry; you lose to him.  Joe had pretty fast hands but his foot movement was like he was wearing concrete boots!

Good for the 1940's but a death sentence to a slick mobile (and bigger) fighter like Larry Holmes.

Answer 5

I always rank Joe Louis higher than Larry Holmes because of his superior accomplishment in the ring but in a match I think Larry might win a close decision. Larry has good boxing skill like Billy Conn but he is smarter and will box for the entire bout and not trying to slug it out with the Brown Bomber.

Answer 6

This is a tough call but i would give the edge to Holmes. Holmes had superior boxing skills and movement and he would keep Joe on the end of his piston-like left jab. Joe was slow afoot and would spend most of the fight trying to catch the elusive Holmes. Larry would take an early lead with his jab, movement, and right hand and then hold off a furious rally by Joe and may even survive a late knockdown to win a close but unanimous decision