This is the next in my blog series ‘Mythical Matchups’. This bout is between two Heavyweight Champions, Evander Holyfield and Joe Louis. My imaginary bouts all take place in Las Vegas at the Caesar’s Palace Outdoor Arena, with the great Mills Lane as the referee.
Evander Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962 in Atmore, Alabama. His family later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where Evander began boxing as a youngster. His skills made him a terrific amateur, which culminated in his making the 1984 Olympic boxing team. Only a controversial disqualification kept him from the gold, forcing him to settle on a bronze.
Holyfield won the WBA Cruiserweight title in 1986, and unified the belts before moving up to heavyweight in July of 1988 vs. James Tillis. He won his first heavyweight title by knocking out Buster Douglas on October 25, 1990, then recaptured the championship from Riddick Bowe after losing to him in November of 1992. He won the title for the third time by knocking out Mike Tyson on November 9, 1996 in Las Vegas. He also became the first four-time heavyweight champion by beating John Ruiz on August 12, 2000.
Joe Louis was born on May 13, 1914 in Chambers County, Alabama. He had an excellent amateur career, and finished with a record of 50-4, with 43 knockouts. ‘The Brown Bomber’ had a storied professional career, and defended his title an amazing 25 times.
Evander Holyfield’s strengths were his conditioning and his strength. He could overcome adversity, and did many times over his career. He fought anyone in the division, and had good power along with his boxing skills.
Joe Louis was a plodder, but had a great left jab, and tremendous power in either hand. The fact that he barely weighed 200 pounds when he fought didn’t matter, because he packed such a wallop with his blows.
To me, a fight between the two champions would have been epic. Joe Louis in his prime was a fantastic prize-fighter, and had awesome power. The problem in a fight with Evander would have been Holyfield’s strength, and his ability to take a punch. I think Evander would have worn Joe Louis down, and stopped him late in their bout. Evander by TKO in 11.
This is my opinion and people can disagree with it. That’s their right, but I highly favor the modern fighter like Holyfield, who just would have been too tough and strong for Louis.
Joe Louis died on April 12, 1981, and is definitely one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Evander stuck around way too long, fighting until he was 48 years old, and finished with a final record of 44-10-2, with 29 knockouts. For one night in the ring together though, they would have made history.
FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ON SPOTIFY AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
