Send one fighter back

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Afternoon, lads.

Haz's 'Bring One Fighter Back' thread was a hit and generated some nice debate, so let's flip it on its head; what fighter of today (or to give us a little more scope, let's say from the turn of the century onwards) would you send back in time to a particular era, and why?

It doesn't necessarily have to be because you're a fan, either. If you're a harsh critic of Wlad, then maybe you'd want to send him back to the golden era of Heavyweights in the seventies, so that you could see those frailties you've told everyone about ruthlessly exposed, for example.

On the other hand, maybe you think someone of today just has a style that would be more effective and appreciated in a bygone era, or perhaps their weight class is a little thin these days, so you'd want to send them back to a time when it was thriving, to see just how good they actually are?

I wouldn't have one in mind in particular, but as an example; how about sending Ward back to the Super-Middleweight scene of around 1993-1996, with peak versions of Jones, Toney and McClellan around to test him? Roy stated a couple of years back that, if he had to pick a fighter from 160 to 175 across all eras who would give him the very hardest examination possible when at his best, it would have been Ward. Would be interesting to see if Ward could live up to that lofty praise.

Any takers? Ta very much, fellas.

Louis was a cruiserweight..In all but name

I can't agree with Louis being a better combination puncher, he's more powerful and better inside but that's about it, neither of those would play a part because of Ali's footwork and speed. While a pre exile Ali had a far better defence.

Louis is generally regarded as the greatest combination puncher of all time. There are plenty of articles on this.

It is well established that Ali barely threw body punches with most of his punches aimed at eye level. He telegraphed his upper cut and had a blind spot to left hooks. Ali as Ken Norton showed was no great shakes when it came to defending a good jab. Eddie Futch knew that.

A bit like RJJ Ali used reflexes to avoid punches generally by leaning back or circling away from punches. When his reflexes slowed he took a lot of needless punches really.

Ali was fast in every way and that gives any fighter serious problems. Louis would have been the best thing he ever faced though.

I'll judge for myself that Ali was a better combination puncher.

You're basing this all on post exile Ali, a fighter who's speed had deserted, doesn't seem fair comparing the best of Louis with the worst of Ali. As for Louis being the best, possibly but the step up from Foreman and Frazier to Louis is nowhere as big as the step up from Walcott and Schmeling to Ali.

I'll start comparing the Louis who was decimated by Marciano to the Ali who beat Liston.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:I'll judge for myself that Ali was a better combination puncher.

You're basing this all on post exile Ali, a fighter who's speed had deserted, doesn't seem fair comparing the best of Louis with the worst of Ali. As for Louis being the best, possibly but the step up from Foreman and Frazier to Louis is nowhere as big as the step up from Walcott and Schmeling to Ali.

I'll start comparing the Louis who was decimated by Marciano to the Ali who beat Liston.

You're on my foe list because not only do you not know what you are talking about you're also a silly billy.

What of that is not actually correct then Strongy, repeating the same lines about Louis doesn't make it a fact.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:What of that is not actually correct then Strongy, repeating the same lines about Louis doesn't make it a fact.

Read a bit about Louis and then make a half educated comment.

Ali was't a combination punch. He had a great jab and a good straigh right and he through the uppercut. Ali used a limited number of punches and never body punched.

Louis mastered every punch and was the greatest most effective combination puncher of all time. So say the Ring and Matt McGrain's recent article on composite punchers if you want to do a bit of reading.


Here's a quote from a Cox Corner article on Louis:

As a puncher Louis had everything. When Joe first appeared on the scene he was hailed as (See Durant p. 99), "A ring rarity. A boxer-puncher with the fastest pair of hands and the hardest punch ever seen." He is without doubt the greatest combination puncher to ever lace on the gloves. No one could put their punches together as beautifully as did Louis. He threw every punch in the book with text book perfection, the jab, the hook, the cross, and the uppercut. He placed his punches accurately to vital points; the heart, the liver, behind the ear, under the floating rib, and to the chin. His punches were short, often travelling only inches, yet they landed with jolting power. In this extremely important category of punching efficiency Louis has no peer.



You are way off the mark with Louis, it is apparent you don't know much about Louis or Ali for that matter.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Louis was a cruiserweight..In all but name

Valuev for GOAT then.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Louis was a cruiserweight..In all but name

Joe Frazier. Joe Louis
Weight 205lb. 198lb
Height 5'11. 6 foot 1
Reach 73. 76
Chest 42-44. 42-45
Fist 13. 12

Tell me why Louis is a midget and Frazier isn't (someone who beat Ali)
I take it you'll agree the size argument isn't relevant.

Cheers Rodders

#pwned

I'll ignore the idiot....

Thing is Strongy....Louis lost to the best fighters he fought...Which though he was on the slide makes it impossible to say how good he was..

What we do know is his chin was dodgy and he could be outboxed...

No one he beat comes even close to a Frazier,Foreman or Liston...

Might as well say If Cooper can knock him down..Coetzee could beat him....

Fine to ignore me, but what's your riposte to Rodders?

Strongy and Rod I'll debate but not you..

Roddy How much did Louis weigh for Conn ?

199lbs Truss, I had to use internet to check that.

You might think Ali wins (which he may well do highly probable) but I take it you'll withdraw the weight and midget claims.

Cheers Rodders

So considering the fact he came on strong late on...

Suggests cruiser wouldn't have been a problem had it been around..

Thanks for looking it up Rod wasn't sure...

Always a pleasure.

Calzghe back to the late 90/early 00.
He would relish the challenge of taking on a prime Jones jnr and Hopkins, and could imagine him being pro-active in making sure the fights happened.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:You have serious issues with Jones don't you Izzi?

I'd send Hopkins back to the 40's to see how he deals with the BMR, Robinson, Charles and Moore.

Has Hopkins not been fighting since the 40's anyway?

i have ali beating louis but surely ali isnt a fighter you would send back, that would mean we would miss out on foreman, liston, frazier fights

compelling and rich wrote:i have ali beating louis but surely ali isnt a fighter you would send back, that would mean we would miss out on foreman, liston, frazier fights

Why go for hamburger when you can take on fillet steak.

Strongback wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:i have ali beating louis but surely ali isnt a fighter you would send back, that would mean we would miss out on foreman, liston, frazier fights

Why go for hamburger when you can take on fillet steak.

i have foreman beating louis   

compelling and rich wrote:

Strongback wrote:

compelling and rich wrote:i have ali beating louis but surely ali isnt a fighter you would send back, that would mean we would miss out on foreman, liston, frazier fights

Why go for hamburger when you can take on fillet steak.

i have foreman beating louis   

Each to their own.  Louis just had a hell of a lot of craft which George didn't.  Foreman can really hurt Louis obviously.


That and Louis an Ali are most peoples 1 and 2 at heavyweight.