Why did prime Foreman rarely bother to block punches?

[automaton89]

He did a little bit when he was on his comeback trail, but basically none at all when he was young.

Foreman seemed to think boxing was about trading blows instead of hitting without getting hit.

I know the obvious answer is: because that's what he was, a brawler! But he did have technical jab .. he wasn't just a slugger ..

As to his lack of defence. None of the commentators pointed to this peculiar fact, that he doesn't block punches consistently. He just eats them and keeps moving forward.


Why could not someone of Foremans caliber develop some sort of defence to go along with his mind numbing jab and overall brute strength? Why did it not appeal to him?

I guess we are down to speculation at this point, but what would be your guess as to why he never bothered to avoid getting hit?

[Rockybigblower]

Head like a brick....hands like hammers.

[automaton89]

Head like a brick....hands like hammers.

Except for the Ali fight when there was a system collapse.


I wonder if Foreman had a stronger chin than Hagler.

[QueensburyRules]

- - A bit like Tyson where his overwhelming offense was his defense, though as he proved in his 5 man exhibition in Canada he could dance around and punch at the same time to make fun of Ali who's screaming he ain't ever gitting a rematch on ABC Network with the Toupeed, Yeller Suited stuffed suit Cosell is boring everyone.

[them_apples]

He did a little bit when he was on his comeback trail, but basically none at all when he was young.

Foreman seemed to think boxing was about trading blows instead of hitting without getting hit.

I know the obvious answer is: because that's what he was, a brawler! But he did have technical jab .. he wasn't just a slugger ..

As to his lack of defence. None of the commentators pointed to this peculiar fact, that he doesn't block punches consistently. He just eats them and keeps moving forward.


Why could not someone of Foremans caliber develop some sort of defence to go along with his mind numbing jab and overall brute strength? Why did it not appeal to him?

I guess we are down to speculation at this point, but what would be your guess as to why he never bothered to avoid getting hit?

When viewing a fighters defense you should view it through the lens of how many punches are they eating to land their own. In this scenario Georges defense was perfectly fine. Someone like George Chuvalo has poor defense, and dare I say even Joe Frazier.

Foreman was not often in a position to get hit (during his first run). He used a defense style not unlike Sandy Saddler. Punches coming his way were deflected or parried and he would roll / ride punches that managed to sneak through. He would keep his hands out stretched and manipulate the opponents balance so they could never get good punches off. He did this vs Joe Frazier and Ken Norton.

Foreman, after losing to Ali - became a shell of his former self mentally, you can see his lack luster effort in defending himself and a constant emphasis of not wasting stamina. He matured in his confidence during his comeback, but he never went back to that hunter killer that once was, coupled with the fact that his opponents tended to have a new found confidence against him after Ali stopped him.

To sum it up though: Foreman uses a mummy style defense and it works well for a strong fighter like him. Blocking is a very amateur style of defending, and doesn't work so well with small gloves.

[Kid Cauliflower]

Young George did not have defense and offense seamlessly integrated. He had to stop for a moment and reboot just to block a punch.

[billeau2]

He did a little bit when he was on his comeback trail, but basically none at all when he was young.

Foreman seemed to think boxing was about trading blows instead of hitting without getting hit.

I know the obvious answer is: because that's what he was, a brawler! But he did have technical jab .. he wasn't just a slugger ..

As to his lack of defence. None of the commentators pointed to this peculiar fact, that he doesn't block punches consistently. He just eats them and keeps moving forward.


Why could not someone of Foremans caliber develop some sort of defence to go along with his mind numbing jab and overall brute strength? Why did it not appeal to him?

I guess we are down to speculation at this point, but what would be your guess as to why he never bothered to avoid getting hit?

Foreman controlled opponents by hitting, pushing their shoulders, cutting the ring, pressuring with a body attack, and getting there first with his shots. If you are Foreman ... Your thinking is, "I punch harder, so why back off? I can punch when the opponent punches."

It was not exactly being hit in the face as much as being hit, while pursuing and making the opponent punch off his base... The old "Musashi technique" Miyomoto Musashi was not actually an elite swordsman, but he made sure he put his opponent on the defensive at all times. Cutting, punching while off balance and responding to an incoming is very tough.

Now sometimes it backfired... If someone can hold their ground like Lyle did, it can be a long night.

[billeau2]

Young George did not have defense and offense seamlessly integrated. He had to stop for a moment and reboot just to block a punch.

Sometimes an offense is the best defense.

[GhostofDempsey]

He may have taken some of those punches in an effort to discourage his opponent. If he showed he could take their best punch and not be phased at all, it may have taken the heart out of them. If that was his strategy it didn't work with Ron Lyle, but he proved to be the more resilient of the two that night,.

Foreman fought one of his best fights in his final contest against Briggs. He stayed behind the jab which he threw often, went to the body and countered Briggs all night. Foreman was robbed that night.

I'll always wonder how he would have faired against Holmes. What a fight that would have been.

[QueensburyRules]

He may have taken some of those punches in an effort to discourage his opponent. If he showed he could take their best punch and not be phased at all, it may have taken the heart out of them. If that was his strategy it didn't work with Ron Lyle, but he proved to be the more resilient of the two that night,.

Foreman fought one of his best fights in his final contest against Briggs. He stayed behind the jab which he threw often, went to the body and countered Briggs all night. Foreman was robbed that night.

I'll always wonder how he would have faired against Holmes. What a fight that would have been.

- - Lar already ended up with a broken foot and crimped ego when he dropped Rocky's Jock Strap. George would send him to Bolivia via Timbuktu...