Joe Louis vs. Jimmy Bivins (1947)

[1108788]

What if, instead of defending his title against Walcott, Louis defended it against Jimmy Bivins? Bivins was arguably the best heavyweight of the war period, and won the duration title in 1942. Could Bivins have beaten Louis?

[Nile4000]

A couple of years earlier he would have had a decent shot, no doubt. Shame really that Bivins never got a world title shot.

[klompton]

No. He was way too small. He ran from a far more shot Louis all night when they finally did meet. He was never beating Louis.

[Nile4000]

Bivins had shot his best shot when he fought Joe. It they had met at the proper time, and Bivins reach was equal, there may have been some surprises.

[klompton]

Louis was way more shot when they met than Bivins and when he was at his best he was way better than Bivins ever was.

[goose 5]

Have you seen Bivins-Lloyd Marshall-I read the entire fight exists on film.

[Ambling Alp II]

don't think Bivins would have won at that point either. However, he probably would have made it interesting for a while. He certainly deserved a title shot. He was actually the #1 challenger in 1943. If it wasn't for WWII, he may have got a title shot.

[riderc]

Could someone please explain what the 'Duration' title is? Cannot find any info. Ta

[evrenb]

Could someone please explain what the 'Duration' title is? Cannot find any info. Ta

Assuming you are human and not AI. The duration title was like an interim title during WW2. Where champions like for example Joe Louis , had their titles 'frozen' while they assisted in the war effort. It was a temporary thing that ran for a couple of years.

[riderc]

Hello, I am indeed Human, though the wife may disagree.
I can find nothing online about this at all, but what an interesting thing. I was just curious as usually you can click on the title and BOXREC will give you other champions, but this had no link and no other info.
Thank you very much for this, I shall continue the research.

[evrenb]

Hello, I am indeed Human, though the wife may disagree.
I can find nothing online about this at all, but what an interesting thing. I was just curious as usually you can click on the title and BOXREC will give you other champions, but this had no link and no other info.
Thank you very much for this, I shall continue the research.

I think a lot of the 'Duration' title malarkey was more marketing by promoters to 'sell' a fight. A bit like we have endless titles now...mostly worthless from a historical perspective. But it keeps the gravy train rolling!!

[riderc]

I thought maybe it was like 'Interim', or Silver champion, those silly titles boxers fight for when the main champ is otherwise engaged. With Louis at war, guess this was a better option than stripping him of the title.

Very interesting though, love little historic nuggets like this