When you think about what he had accomplished, wasn't Big George amazing?!

[Jeff Da Maori]

Ali himself said that Foreman was fast.

Let that one sink in. We're not talking about Grandpa Foreman the bumbling crowd favourite (that's how I remember it at least). We're talking about the one who would bounce (literally) into the middle of the ring and start throwing haymakers from the getgo. His punches were telegraphed sure, but slow? No. When they were released, they got there, and they got there deceptively quick.

He's not the top 4 heavyweight spot on Cox's Corner on punches alone. While they were massive, he also had an excellent chin and underrated stamina and speed of both hand and foot. He also cut the ring very well (case in point Rumble in the Jungle)

Don't believe me on the hand-speed part?


Look at when he lets fly. Those are very hard punches too.

Also, Joe Louis was half an inch shorter than Holyfield.

Fighting prime Foreman in a 17 foot ring? Don't think I'd have put my name down for that in a hurry!!

[The Surgeon]

Fighting prime Foreman in a 17 foot ring? Don't think I'd have put my name down for that in a hurry!!

Its akin to taking on a Silverback Gorilla in a phnoe box!

**** Dat!

[Feint]

As far as the first part of his career goes, Foreman was one of the best. Being an Olympic gold medallist and heavyweight champion alone puts him into an elite class. Add on to that fact his punches were considered to be the most devastating ever in the division and was also one of the most intimidating fighters ever to lace them up, and he becomes legendary.

As far as the second part of his career goes, although ill-advised, anyone who is able to box well into their 40’s without making a complete mockery of themselves and/or the sport is impressive. I will also say that being able to successfully reinvent yourself to sell to the public is not an easy task. But that is about all the credit I can give him during this time period.

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy for him for both winning back the tittle and making a lot of money in the process. But he was not much more than a C+ fighter at that point who didn’t do much to earn his title shots other than being a name. Anyone he fought that had any real ability beat him fairly handily, and even Moore was cruising to an easy victory over him until Foreman was able to pull a rabbit out of his hat and steal a win.

Again, I believe Foreman was an amazing fighter who had an tremendous career, I just don’t think the second half of that career was all that impressive in the overall scheme of things,.

[JAB5239]

I don't think Moore was fighting at the same level as Hopkins is if you compare them at 46. Especially if Hopkins beats Dawson.

I suppose it depends on when you believe he was born, 1913 or 1916. But glossing over his record I am even more inclined to agree with you.

[StarshipTrooper]

Fighting prime Foreman in a 17 foot ring? Don't think I'd have put my name down for that in a hurry!!

The Rumble In The Jungle was in a phone booth like that.....one of the reasons Ali changed tactics.

Poet

[Capaedia]

Fighting prime Foreman in a 17 foot ring? Don't think I'd have put my name down for that in a hurry!!

If I recall correctly Jose Roman was ****-talking a whole lot before the fight too. Some people just don't have good survival instinct.