BoxRec

Who do you think he would have defended against, and for how long do you think he would have held on to his title?

Myself, I would have loved if Louis would have defended against Bruce Woodcock, Turkey Thompson, Henry Flakes, Elmer Ray, Buddy Walker, Harry Bobo, Lee Q Murray, Jimmy Bivins, and Lem Franklin. Other contenders at the time were Tami Maurellio whom Louis would fight, and guys like Buddy Knox.

I dunno if Louis would have lasted that long though, considering that highly talented pool of fighters, I imagine he could have, maybe, but its unlikely.

The late 30s/40s is a very under-rated era for Heavyweights. That was a very good group of fighters you mentioned.

I don't see any of them beating a prepared Louis though. Perhaps a clever slickster like Bivins could've won a close one off of a slowing Louis in 44 (a year when Bivins was really on a roll through the division) but I don't see any of the bombers on that list (Ray, Thompson, Franklin) outpunching the Brown Bomber. Who knows though. I really wish we had more of those guys on film.

HomicideHenry wrote:I dunno if Louis would have lasted that long though, considering that highly talented pool of fighters, I imagine he could have, maybe, but its unlikely.

- Since he beat HOFer Bivins in a 7 fight tear through the division in 51, along with Savold, and Agramonte/Brion twice apeice, obviously Joe would do quite well.

More valid question would be how those fighters you tout would do against prime fighters in the division that instead were drafted into the war.

The answer is that they would fare considerably poorer than the success Louis did experience.

HomicideHenry wrote:Who do you think he would have defended against, and for how long do you think he would have held on to his title?

Myself, I would have loved if Louis would have defended against Bruce Woodcock, Turkey Thompson, Henry Flakes, Elmer Ray, Buddy Walker, Harry Bobo, Lee Q Murray, Jimmy Bivins, and Lem Franklin. Other contenders at the time were Tami Maurellio whom Louis would fight, and guys like Buddy Knox.

I dunno if Louis would have lasted that long though, considering that highly talented pool of fighters, I imagine he could have, maybe, but its unlikely.

Interesting question!!!

It's so ironic that 3 of the greatest & most prominent HW champs lost their prime years for one reason or another.

Louis, Ali & Tyson all suffered that fate & it makes you wonder, 'what if' the whole time. :)