Lennox Lewis vs. George Foreman (1971 version)

[Sugarj]

I don't see Lewis knocking out Foreman, with his lumbering style and Foreman's chin. You had to be fast and slick like Ali and Young to outbox him and Lewis isn't. I mean, if Lewis had Foreman in the same situation Lyle did, then MAYBE he could finish him off, but Lyle was not as heavy or lumbersome as Lewis and still he couldn't put the finishing touch. Lewis would certainly hurt Foreman and maybe even drop him, but he was too slow to capitalise on that. Foreman kos him with a left hook or uppercut after a heated battle. Rounds 6 to 8.

But the thread concerns 1971 Foreman. George met Lyle 4 or 5 years later when he was far more experienced.

Realistically you'd have to give someone like Lyle a good shot at stopping 1971 Foreman, he wasn't anything like the completed article........he was struggling with the likes of Gregorio Peralta at that point in his career.

To be honest, its a mismatch to throw prime 240 odd lb Lennox Lewis in with novice 1971 Foreman for the same reason that it would be a mismatch to throw 1974 Foreman in with 1962 Cassius Clay. Foreman was at least 2 years off world class.

[Kid McCoy]

But the thread concerns 1971 Foreman. George met Lyle 4 or 5 years later when he was far more experienced.

Realistically you'd have to give someone like Lyle a good shot at stopping 1971 Foreman, he wasn't anything like the completed article........he was struggling with the likes of Gregorio Peralta at that point in his career.

To be honest, its a mismatch to throw prime 240 odd lb Lennox Lewis in with novice 1971 Foreman for the same reason that it would be a mismatch to throw 1974 Foreman in with 1962 Cassius Clay. Foreman was at least 2 years off world class.

I agree with this assessment. The rawer less experienced Foreman whose only win against a known heavyweight was George Chuvalo would probably be handled by the prime experienced Lewis (unless he's fighting the 1990 Lewis?) although he does have a puncher's chance and I'd take the peak mid-70s Foreman to KO him.

[Sugarj]

I agree with this assessment. The rawer less experienced Foreman whose only win against a known heavyweight was George Chuvalo would probably be handled by the prime experienced Lewis (unless he's fighting the 1990 Lewis?) although he does have a puncher's chance and I'd take the peak mid-70s Foreman to KO him.

Cheers bud, its nice to agree from time to time.....

[GoogleMe]

Lewis would K.O any version of Foreman. He's bigger, stronger, faster and way more skillful.

[JAB5239]

Lewis would K.O any version of Foreman. He's bigger, stronger, faster and way more skillful.

I like Lewis, I've supported him many times in this section. But he was bigger, faster, stronger and more skillful than both Rahman and McCall too. If he's not in tip tip form he's going to sleep against Foreman. If he's in shape and weary of George he should get a decision. My gut tells me not to bet against Foreman in this one though.

[Sugarj]

Lewis would K.O any version of Foreman. He's bigger, stronger, faster and way more skillful.

Lewis was taken the distance by lesser fighters with poorer chins than Foreman.

A KO would be very unlikely in my opinion, despite what Ali did (which lets face it was a serious one-off judging by the rest of Foreman's career)!

The second coming version of Foreman might have been slow, but you could hit him with a freight train and he wouldn't go down. Lennox wouldn't get a KO there!

[them_apples]

Well peak George at 224 lbs is quicker than Lewis, and believe it or not he's not a terrible boxer either, he's just clumsey.

I'd pick Foreman by stoppage, his chin is too good, he's nearly as big as Lewis and most likely stronger.

Wouldn't Count Lewis out but I can't see him stopping george and I can't see Lewis avoiding every single one of Foremans punches.

Foreman was in top shape in his early days.

[winky's right]

Big George is too crude/one dimensional for the bigger, more technically gifted Lewis. After surviving George's early barrage, I see Lewis stopping George via mid-late KO.

[them_apples]

Lewis would K.O any version of Foreman. He's bigger, stronger, faster and way more skillful.

He's not stronger than George or as durable. we saw what an old man was capable of just imagine the real deal.

He's not even quicker prime for prime, he's just a smarter boxer.

I say prime george with his determination takes the cake.

[GoogleMe]

I like Lewis, I've supported him many times in this section. But he was bigger, faster, stronger and more skillful than both Rahman and McCall too. If he's not in tip tip form he's going to sleep against Foreman. If he's in shape and weary of George he should get a decision. My gut tells me not to bet against Foreman in this one though.

He's got more experience since. That were bad nights vs McCall and Rahman, I think he took them too lightly. We saw what happened in the rematches.

I'm not so sure about the K.O by Lewis, but the possibility is there - styles makes fights. Lewis would have many advantages over Foreman, and by that he would controle the fight. Yes, there's always the possibility of George Foreman knocking out Lewis, as his chin could be checked at times.
8-9 out of 10 fights I see Lewis winning in a 12 rounder.