BoxRec

Although this was mostly before my time from reading various books and articles over the years I always got the feeling that the was throughout the 1960's and early 1970's a bit of friction between the great Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali? Two of the finest Heavyweights who ever boxed who had two very different public personalities.

Ali often stated that "old, slow moving, shuffling Joe" wouldn’t have stood a chance against him and that Joe was real lucky that he (Ali) wasn't around in Joe times etc etc.

I also seemed to recall reading that Joe often during the 60's almost always picked Alis opponent to beat him.

However by the mid 70's Ali seemed to always be full of praise and respect for the than ageing, ill Joe Louis, He even employed Louis for a short while as a 'technical advisor'.

I also read a story than a few days before his ill-fated fight against Larry Holmes Ali bumped into the then wheelchair bound and very frail Joe Louis and covered the Brown Bomber in endless complements. Saying things like "Are you coming to the fight Joe?", "I really want you to be there", " I watched a tape of your second fight against Max Schmeling, man your were awesome that night Joe, your combinations were unreal!!"
"Better be at the fight early Joe, I'm going to try and do the same to Holmes" etc etc etc.

Anyone else here got any opinions, memories or information on the relationship between these true greats of the Boxing ring?

ali "joe u think u would have wupped me??"

louis " i had this thing when i was fighting called the bum of the month tour"


ali "ya callin me a bum?"

louis " you wudda been on the tour"



i know louis picked himself, marciano, and jersey joe walcott to beat ali

Ali as usual, bragging and ridiculing but deep down there was no malice there...he respected Louis just as much as he next guy.......

I've also read about the early animosity between Louis and Ali. Totally different personalities sometimes makes for a bit of friction and perhaps jealousy from both sides?

was joe some sort of advisor or guru to foreman, i`ve seen a fight where foreman sparks someone and then starts praising the brown bomber saying a few words from joe were worth more that hours of advice from his team or something along those lines.