Prime George Foreman vs prime Lennox Lewis, who wins..for the purists?

I'm always amazed to think that in the early days George used to weigh around 215lbs! Lennox Lewis too used to weigh around 224 pounds. He was pretty quick back when he fought Ruddock, Weaver.

I'm always amazed to think that in the early days George used to weigh around 215lbs! He was is aazing shape, and was ripped up for a tall guy, and his shoulders were built like a football player, atter of fact, I believe Foreman would have played football if not for going to the Olympics. (back then the Olympics meant something).

I don't think you need to see too many of Foreman's fights to make up an opinion on him. He isn't exactly multi-dimensional but you can't just watch his fight against Ali of course because that'll leave you with the wrong impression. I'll admit that I haven't seen his second fight against Peralta which I'm not sure if it even exists on film. It's a rather important fight to Foreman's legacy, because he took out a very competent, durable boxer in the late rounds of a fight. The usual criticism is that he fades in the later rounds.

I honestly, in my opinion, am not really sure I'm qualified to go much further with this debate as I've not seen a hell of a lot of fights from either guy. I've seen a decent amount, probably more than most. From what I've seen I could see Lewis taking the decision or George landing a monster KO shot but for some reason and again, this is only from my observations, I lean toward Lennox. I just want to have an intelligent debate. :) I don't mind your statements at all because I've been saying the same things about Foreman previously. A lot of people overlook his obvious flaws but at the same time he can be a threat to anybody. I thought I'd defend Big George a bit on this thread because I've been giving him a hard time in other threads. :boxing:

the only way to beat a prime foreman was to outbox him like Ali did. while Lewis was a good boxer he was no Ali. Ali had the speed, footwork, and defense to do what know body else had done to foreman up until that point. i think it would be competitive but for few rounds though but i see foreman winning

Lennox was clowning around, smiling, with his hands down when Rahman caught him. Hes not going to do that against a bigger more serious opponent liike Foreman. Vitali isnt over-rated. VK is right up there with Foreman as far as the most powerful of all time. Lewis did that against Shannon Briggs and David Tua as well. Both had reputations as punchers. Lets not forget that this is Shannon Briggs, a man a 48 year old Foreman was robbed against in his last fight: Vitali usually batters opponents to submission in the later rounds. He doesn't truly have fight changing power.

There's no doubt that he was strong but let's be real. He was sloppy as hell. Foreman had the power to knock almost anyone out with one punch but he could also have circles boxed around him by someone who wasn't scared shitless of him. He was sloppy no doubt but it doesn't mean he can be easily beat. Lewis himself struggled with quite a few "sloppy" opponents and was at times sloppy himself. In fact the big criticism about Lewis, especially early on in his career, was his footwork.

Then again shorter, less accomplished fighters such as Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman managed it. Maybe Vitali's punching power is just overrated. Lennox was clowning around, smiling, with his hands down when Rahman caught him. Hes not going to do that against a bigger more serious opponent liike Foreman. Vitali isnt over-rated. VK is right up there with Foreman as far as the most powerful of all time.

How the hell is George Foreman going to KO Lennox in 6 when Vitali who is just as strong and 3-4 inches taller could not accomplish this feat? LL's only weakness throughout his career was his tendancy to understimate and take some of his opponents lightly. If LL knows he's stepping in with a fellow legend like George, he is going to bring his A game and will pick him apart from a distance. Prime George would not have the stamina to keep up. I have Lennox Lewis winning on points in a decisive 8 rounds to 4 UD. Then again shorter, less accomplished fighters such as Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman managed it. Maybe Vitali's punching power is just overrated. No matter how you look at it, a young George Foreman was just a beast. The strongest heavyweight in my opinion.

Lol lewis isn't tough enough, didnt watch the klitschko fight then. By the way Klitschko (vitali) also beats foreman Absolutely not. Vitali would get fukking annihilated. Vitali gets tagged, and a lot.

How the hell is George Foreman going to KO Lennox in 6 when Vitali who is just as strong and 3-4 inches taller could not accomplish this feat? LL's only weakness throughout his career was his tendancy to understimate and take some of his opponents lightly. If LL knows he's stepping in with a fellow legend like George, he is going to bring his A game and will pick him apart from a distance. Prime George would not have the stamina to keep up. I have Lennox Lewis winning on points in a decisive 8 rounds to 4 UD.

Still ain't got that "M" fixed yet huh? :lol1: Lol, not yet man, and I don't want to use my other laptop with a fukin 13 inch screen.

foreman whipes the floor with lewis no way is this even competitive lewis has no chance in hell foreman would embarrass him....he only needs to go at 50% and lewis would look like a loser in a burger eating contest

Foreman wins the poll because he is more "legendary" but if you strip all that away you realise its closer than you think I agree. Either man could win. Lewis is a fukkin ATG, but he does get hit, and no puncher he faced can compare to Forevan really.

Exactly my thoughts. I'd almost give the late, more patient Foreman a better shot than the "prime" one. Foreman never really lost in his prime untill Ali made a fool of him with his bag o' tricks. grabbing him, tangling him up, throwing sharp fast punches inbetween his guard. Lewis can't do that. Lewis isn't tough enough either.

Young Foreman wasn't that slow in comparrison to Lewis. Had a good bounce to his step and good snapping Liston-like jab. I agree. clumsy would be a better word for it. Foremans had equal velocity to Lewis prime for prime.

foreman is just another animal

......Foreman would stalk him all night long but I'm just not sure he catches him. Lewis fought the biggest punchers of his era and made it out alive. Morrison, Tyson, Tua, Ruddock, Bruno, Tucker, McCall, Mercer. A prime Foreman was sloppy. The late comeback foreman was much more tactical and under control with his punches.

Lewis is obviously faster than Foreman. :lol1: Young Foreman wasn't that slow in comparrison to Lewis. Had a good bounce to his step and good snapping Liston-like jab.

Lewis is one of the slowest footed Heavyweights of the past 20 years. While he may be fractionally faster afoot then Foreman, in boxing terms the difference, like the difference in reach, is negligible. Sh1t, I'm an out-of-shape middle-aged man and I'M probably faster afoot than a prime Lewis. Poet Lewis had decent foot speed when he chose to use it like in the Tua fight and had good handspeed.