Legendary trainer Cus D'Amato once told Muhammad Ali that Joe Louis was the one heavyweight who could beat him by knockout. This bold claim came during a historic debate between the two boxing icons, shedding light on the enduring legacy of heavyweight champions.
Ali's boxing career changed the sport forever. He won Olympic gold in the light-heavyweight division in Rome in 1960 before turning pro that same year. The Louisville native captured the world heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston in February 1964, stopping him in the sixth round in Miami, Florida.
After a three-year forced hiatus, Ali returned to the ring in 1970. He failed in his first attempt to regain the title against Joe Frazier but bounced back in spectacular fashion. Ali reclaimed the heavyweight crown by stopping George Foreman in the eighth round of their October 1974 clash in Zaire, famously dubbed "The Rumble In The Jungle".
During a recorded conversation, D'Amato made his startling prediction about a hypothetical matchup between Ali and Louis. The respected trainer said:
"Yes, I believe Joe Louis would beat you. Probably [you could] outpoint [him] for the better part of the fight, but towards the end of the fight, he would catch up to you, as he catches up to everyone else, and take you out of there."
Joe Louis left an indelible mark on boxing history. He held the world heavyweight title from 1937 to 1948, defending it a record 25 times – a feat that remains unbroken to this day. Louis fought 69 times as a pro, losing several bouts before retiring in 1949. His influence on the sport rivals that of Ali, with both men considered among boxing's most important figures.
The debate between Ali and D'Amato serves as a fascinating look at how boxing experts viewed the skills and abilities of different era champions. Their discussion continues to fuel debates among fight fans about how these legendary heavyweights would have fared against each other in their primes.
