Bob Fitzsimmons vs. George Foreman

[Rusty Tromboni]

Right!

If the proposed bout had been Foreman vs. (a 180 lb) Langford, half the poster on this forum would convince themselves that Langford would school Big George.

Neither Fitz nor Langford would see the other side of round two; Big George was simply too big for this match-up to be worth discussing. Never mind the fact that Foreman's footwork was a light year ahead of either fighter.

I know it sounds sacrilegious, but I'd favor him to stop Dempsey and Louis too. If people disagree, OK. But I feel that folks conflate greatness with invincibility.

[billeau2]

Fitz would have his strong set with the smaller gloves. He had a natural method where his strength went into the target with little energy lost. It is counter intuitive but in fact, the bigger stronger guys do not neessarily have MORE power when we consider the smaller gloves... power was much more dependent on technique and target selection than with bigger gloves and more loose strength oriented movements.

The proof of the pudding is that bigger guys were not a feature of the heavyweights until relatively recently. They were always around... just not considered the best.

[The Old LefHook]

Bobby hit awful hard. He might out-brain big George, and then brain him.

[billeau2]

Bobby hit awful hard. He might out-brain big George, and then brain him.

So Lefty...some of the hardest punchers... Baer, Fitz among them, had really wide shoulders. From the waist up these guys had tensile strength...explosive long muscles. I can't speak to how Fitz would do against Foreman, but there is physical strength present in the metal smith man!

[HOUDINI563]

Fitz was a freak of nature. He described his body blow that stopped Corbett like it was nothing “I just straighten out my arm”. Was not a full force blow as per Ruby Bob.

[DeeMoney]

I know, I know, style make fights. And for many of you boxing is 99.99% mental or just grit and toughness.

But for arguments sake, lets just look at the physical dimensions of these, humoring those who feel that athletic competitions may be built on less esoteric measurements.

Lets compare Fitz to one of prime Foreman's real life opponents: Joe Frazier. Now Foreman towered over Frazier and his height definitely played a part in his victories over Smokin' Joe; so its interesting to note that Fitz was the same height as Frazier.
In addition to that was a reach advantage. Foreman had a significant reach on Frazier, and would even have a greater advantage over Fitz.
Now, we know not all height and reach are the same, and certainly Fitz had some bulk to him (broad shoulders and all). But do we really think he was any bulkier or stronger than Frazier in that sense? I'd seriously doubt that.

As I began with, I know there is more to it than just size. I know Fitz and Frazier- heck his solar-plexus shot may have been better than Joe's left hook. But I would seriously favor a HOF modern heavyweight, over a HOFer whose prime was fought in the 160s. Even allowing for the rules difference of 120 years ago.

[QueensburyRules]

- -Fitz one of the all time p4pers, but he's gonna fold the first big shot landed.

[Willie Pep 229]

Jeffries was too big for Fitz and bullied him; countering all his superior skills with muscle.

[HOUDINI563]

Fitz nor Corbett get the respect they deserve. Their is such little film footage and what we have is of such poor quality. Corbett was an ever moving/darting, ever feinting, ever stabbing fighter. A potential nightmare style vs most any opponent. In his prime he was remarkably conditioned and ripped.

Fitzsimmons was a trap setter constantly pursuing and then stepping in and out of range. Always looking to land a killer blow as he stepped in. If you isolate your eyes upon Fitz in his bout vs Corbett he throws some nice short combinations. Right to the body followed by a short hook to the head. I wish their was a good film of him in his prime as a heavyweight. He was a marvel.

[QueensburyRules]

Fitz nor Corbett get the respect they deserve. Their is such little film footage and what we have is of such poor quality. Corbett was an ever moving/darting, ever feinting, ever stabbing fighter. A potential nightmare style vs most any opponent. In his prime he was remarkably conditioned and ripped.

Fitzsimmons was a trap setter constantly pursuing and then stepping in and out of range. Always looking to land a killer blow as he stepped in. If you isolate your eyes upon Fitz in his bout vs Corbett he throws some nice short combinations. Right to the body followed by a short hook to the head. I wish their was a good film of him in his prime as a heavyweight. He was a marvel.

- -Need to charge Hollywood with criminal negligence by allowing their first blockbuster and international sensation to degrade in such neglected ignominy that scarce 10% remains of that Greatest Ever Fight.