Louis had more offensive weapons than either Norton or Foreman (notice I didn't say he was more powerful than Foreman, just that he had a more reliable offensive arsenal of textbook punches thrown with quickness, sharpness and accuracy... not to mention, tremendous power) ... Louis had a harmony of offense about him that I think would be more useful at breaking through Young's skittish defense and garbageman offense than Foreman's roundhouse shots or Norton's looping hooks were... Young was a guy (not unlike Norton himself) who was just hell for certain guys because he was awkward and strange... I dont see Louis being one of those guys, I can see him maybe suffering a flash knockdown on some quick little counter early, but I think he eventually walks Young down and knocks him cold LOUIS KO10
It's a fairly superficial analysis but the fact that Young tended not to rely on his feet massively in his defence bodes well for Louis I think. He wasn't an extravagant mover or exceptionally fast on his feet. In fact he wasn't unlike a less-busy Ezzard Charles in some ways stylistically if we're reaching for a comparison we can use..... It's a tricky fight for Louis but a prime Joe gets the job done, a 9-6 type decision, perhaps.
I won't rule out a KO victory for Louis, but I think he can win the decision, & would. He did beat some similarly-cagey & well-resourced defensive fighters --- Farr, Conn, & Pastor --- none of whom would be considered demonstrably inferior on any real scale to Young (himself, one of the better contenders in a contender-rich era). One thing Young could count on against three men I thought he beat (Ali, Foreman, & Norton) was a speed advantage off the counter. He wouldn't enjoy that here, & Louis was superior in offense to any of those men (or anyone else Young stepped in with). I would not be surprised if Louis caught up with him & put him away, but I don't think Young would fight in such a way as to encourage a KO --- if & when he gets a whiff of Louis' punch & combinations, I think he starts to lose a few rounds by virtue of being too defensive. Hut isn't far off, IMO, with a circa 9-6 decision.
Have to go with Louis but perhaps Young could durn the trick of Joe was having an off night. It's the kind of fight where you expect Louis to win, but if you got some great gambling odds throwing a few dollars on the underdog.
Louis-Tunney would've been a really good betting fight, I think. If the money went in even moderately big for Louis, you'd have to splurge on Tunney as I see it.
