REAL Joe Louis quotes on Muhammad Ali

[TitoFan]

I guess every older era of ahtletes claims to know how to beat the era that replaces them.

How very true.
I wonder if we were to generalize....
Are current fighters more respectful of older fighters than the other way around?

Joe Louis claims he would've destroyed Ali... and yet Mike Tyson openly says he would lose to Ali.
When in actuality it could very well be the other way around.

I think older fighters tend to be less generous maybe 'cause time has passed them by, and the spotlight that belonged to them a long time ago now shines on someone else. It's an ego thing.

[Beanflicker]

[QUOTE=TitoFan;1310949]

Joe Louis claims he would've destroyed Ali... and yet Mike Tyson openly says he would lose to Ali.
When in actuality it could very well be the other way around.

That being said, I saw Mike on a TV show a few days ago where they asked him how he would do against certain past greats. He was quick to say Ali would beat him but was equally quick to claim that he would beat Joe Louis.

I think it's just a fake modesty thing with him and a lot of other guys. What do you gain by saying you'd whip Ali? He's such a beloved figure throughout the world, people will just lash out at you. Muhammad Ali is on death's door, it's futile to speculate on hypothetical match ups that could have never happened with a guy people consider the greatest.

You need a big ego and tons of self confidence to be a champion, so every champ - past and present - I'm sure feels could have whipped any other champ from history on their best day.