Hello mate. Although I prefer Joe Louis and feel he accomplished much more in boxing I struggle to imagine him getting past the first five rounds against the young, ferocious Iron Mike.
Louis was beaten close to his prime by Max Schmeling and floored by James J. Braddock, Tony Galento, Buddy Baer and Jersey Joe Walcott. Although he got up to win these fights you have to think if he was floored by these men what would a prime Mike Tyson do? Tyson at his peak was fast, unrelenting and powerful with a real killer instinct, if Galento and Braddock can put Louis down I think Tyson could keep him there.
If it went past five I think Louis outboxes Tyson and stops him late but I would bet on Tyson overwhelming Louis with his early attack and stopping him within three.
This would pit two fighters from a different generation against each other. A prime 1940 Joe The Brown Bomber Louis vs Iron Mike Tyson 1988. Louis was a tall strong boxer puncher who could put an opponents lights out with either hand. He had a fair defense, a ramrod like left jab and his most devastating punch reacted like an anesthetic, putting his foes in dreamland. Louis was not fancy, he did not possess speedy foot work like an Ali, but he was well balanced. He believed in letting his fists do the talking in the ring, a true professional. He fought the likes of Max Baer sr, James Cinderella Man Braddock, Primo Carnera, and Max Schmeling. Louis would reign as World Heavyweight Champion from 1937-1949,he had 25 title defenses. Iron Mike Tyson won his first WBC Heavyweight title by knocking out Trevor Berbick in round 2. He fought James Bonecrusher Smith, Tony TNT Tucker, and a very old Larry The Easton Asassin Holmes. Tyson has trouble with boxers and counter punchers, as we would later see with Buster Douglas in 1990. Louis has been down in his career a few times, but he has arisen and won. Louis would keep Tyson at bay with his left jab. Mike would bob and weave and connect on Joe. Then in round 5, The Brown Bomber unleashes his atomic bomb right hand on Iron Mike, he then falls face first for the full count of ten from the referee.
Bare with me here. Joe Louis had a methodical and patient style. He would probe until he found an opening. And when he did he was absolutely devastating. He was a magnificent finisher. And he could also adapt to any given situation. I remember seeing his fight against Max Bear, Max came out all guns blazing and put Louis under a lot of pressure but the way Louis responded was what really impressed me. He suddenly burst into life executing deadly combinations with awesome speed and power. Believe me, Joe Louis is a legend.
Mike Tyson did not wait for openings, he created them. And although he was the best at it, I think this overly aggressive style would have worked in Louis' favour.
So it is Joe Louis for me.
I can't see any other outcome than a Tyson knock out victory.... You would fancy Louis to start punishing Tyson in the later rounds, maybe even take him out between the 13th and 15th rounds...
But seriously... The Tyson that sparked Spinks would put Joe Louis to bed before the third!
First of all Louis was bigger by 3" and hit just as hard in the same multi punk combinations as well as able to box better. The peek a boo style would not help Tyson. If quick Tillis, Bruno, Tucker, can go toe to toe,thenLouis can too and of the two, Tyson gets frustrated sooner and easier. Then relies on one punch haymaker offense. Louis would love this. Louis by TKO in 8.IMO. Spinks was scared to deathe before even going in and went down as soon as he was hit the first time and out the second punch. 93 seconds total.
My money is on Mike Tyson.
In his prime he really was one of the most dangerous fighters I can think of. He had this incredible explosiveness and dynamics, lethal accuracy and an unmatched killer instinct. Tyson was one of the quickest and most powerful at the same time which is extremely outstanding. I mean look at guys like Ali or Patterson who had better speed but didn′t belong to the most devastating punchers. Others like Marciano, Foreman or Shavers had extreme power, but lacked at speed. Prime Tyson is the only one who had it both (at a great level) in one person.
Louis was a textbook technician, also with very good accuracy, outstanding timing, speed and one punch knockout power. But the main thing making me believe he would get KO′d against young Iron Mike is the doubtful chin that he had. On the other side Tyson was mentally very sensitive and if a fight didn′t go the way he wanted to he often got out of his game plan which really is a weakness Louis could exploit.
But Louis fought in a very different era. Tyson would actually be one of the heaviest guys he ever faced I think - and that comes along with this mans lightning combination attacking driven by his unique vicious aggressiveness.
I also consider Tysons defense one of the most underrated in boxing history. He really was damn hard to hit and if somebody was able to land big hands, Tyson usually could take it because of his tough jaw.
With those two impressive athletes anything could happen, but I think Tyson would overwhelm Louis.
Kind regards from germany:)
It's a question you can't answer. Both were the most dominant champions in heavyweight history. Joe got to fight lots of easy opponents and Tyson wasn't always focused in the ring. Tyson would beat Joe because of superior training that goes with modern training, yet Joe had the better career.
not who had a better career just who would win in a fight lets say the louis that ko'd schmelling in 1 vs the tyson that ko'd spinks in 1
