Did George Foreman deserve a title shot?

The Smash

I am talking about his first shot at Frazier, here. Granted I am reading it off boxrec, but 3 of the 5 opponents he fought immediately before he got his shot actually had losing records, which is remarkable. I know he was an Olympic gold medalist and I rate him in my top 5 heavyweights ever, but it seems to me that he really did not as his record was, with one or two exceptions, devoid of any contenders, particularly top contenders.

TBear

When George knocked out Chuvalo, Chuvalo was ranked #7 by the Ring. The first time he beat Peralta he was ranked #10. Boone Kirkman was 22-1 and Kirkland avenged his only defeat by beating Doug Jones.

George was an Olympic gold medalist and 37-0 as a pro with 34 knockouts.

So I believe he deserved a shot.

Scott9945

Foreman sure as hell deserved it more than the two previous challengers for Frazier's title, Ron Stander and Terry Daniels.

TysonBomb

It was well deserved ... unlike old Foreman against Moorer.

That wasn't deserved.

Bingo33

He underestimated George and showed up in soft shape. Foreman had avoided Quarry, Bonavena, and other tough guys and many thought he was a built up phoney. Which he was NOT.

Ray Corso

Fraziers people did NOT want this fight but Joe said OK! Joe was a gold medalists and honored Georges accomplishment with gold also. Everyone knew this was a bad match of styles...............for Joe, no one else had any real desire to fight Big George either. He was the heaviests handed heavy ever! Ray.

Bingo33

Ray: Quarry wanted to fight George very badly but Dick Sadler wanted no part of a spoiler like Jerry.

Ray Corso

Quarry would fight a bear if there was a buck in it! Or for free on some days I'd guess! Quarry feared no one!! Ray

TBear Lords of Boxingscene Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In the shadows of your dreams Age: 89 Posts: 60,519 Rep Power: 324 Points: 2,337.04 Bank: 51,217,312,150,768.73 Total Points: 51,217,312,153,105.77 Donate	When George knocked out Chuvalo, Chuvalo was ranked #7 by the Ring. The first time he beat Peralta he was ranked #10. Boone Kirkman was 22-1 and Kirkland avenged his only defeat by beating Doug Jones. George was an Olympic gold medalist and 37-0 as a pro with 34 knockouts. So I believe he deserved a shot.

Scott9945 Gonna be more suspicious Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 18,693 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 65 Points: 51,238,564.73 Bank: 21,265,792,988,454.86 Total Points: 21,265,844,227,019.59 Donate	Foreman sure as hell deserved it more than the two previous challengers for Frazier's title, Ron Stander and Terry Daniels.

TysonBomb Interim Champion Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 508 Rep Power: 2 Points: 31,016.25 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 31,016.25 Donate	It was well deserved ... unlike old Foreman against Moorer. That wasn't deserved.

Bingo33 Amateur Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 26 Rep Power: 0 Points: 964.98 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 964.98 Donate	Frazier thought it was going to be easy He underestimated George and showed up in soft shape. Foreman had avoided Quarry, Bonavena, and other tough guys and many thought he was a built up phoney. Which he was NOT.

Ray Corso Undisputed Champion Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,079 Rep Power: 7 Points: 1,000,033,842.63 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 1,000,033,842.63 Donate	Fraziers people did NOT want this fight but Joe said OK! Joe was a gold medalists and honored Georges accomplishment with gold also. Everyone knew this was a bad match of styles...............for Joe, no one else had any real desire to fight Big George either. He was the heaviests handed heavy ever! Ray.

Bingo33 Amateur Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 26 Rep Power: 0 Points: 964.98 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 964.98 Donate	Quarry wanted to fight him Ray: Quarry wanted to fight George very badly but Dick Sadler wanted no part of a spoiler like Jerry.