To be honest 70s Foreman had pacing issues, its a fact. Its just that even with pacing issues many ATG heavyweights would struggle to last 5 rounds with him.
If an opponent could get past round 7, they had a chance. But to get past round 7 they had to have a superb chin as well as excellent distance stamina. Ali's chin goes without saying, Jimmy Young was very lucky to survive round 7 (Foreman threw everything including the kitchen sink at him), but finished the fight very well.
I'd personally give prime Riddick Bowe a passable shot. I don't think it would be impossible to see prime Evander Holyfield stealing a decision, but I'd really fear for him. Larry Holmes was slippery enough at his best and had a good enough chin to at least perform as well as Jimmy Young. Liston would have a very good chance too (again excellent chin and distance stamina).
Against prime Tyson it would be a pickem fight for me. Many would disagree with this.
But to be honest Foreman's prime would have probably arrived around 1980-1982. He had really sorted out his pacing issues in his second coming. Its possible that we never really saw the prime of Foreman.
If an opponent could get past round 7, they had a chance. But to get past round 7 they had to have a superb chin as well as excellent distance stamina. Ali's chin goes without saying, Jimmy Young was very lucky to survive round 7 (Foreman threw everything including the kitchen sink at him), but finished the fight very well.
I'd personally give prime Riddick Bowe a passable shot. I don't think it would be impossible to see prime Evander Holyfield stealing a decision, but I'd really fear for him. Larry Holmes was slippery enough at his best and had a good enough chin to at least perform as well as Jimmy Young. Liston would have a very good chance too (again excellent chin and distance stamina).
Against prime Tyson it would be a pickem fight for me. Many would disagree with this.
But to be honest Foreman's prime would have probably arrived around 1980-1982. He had really sorted out his pacing issues in his second coming. Its possible that we never really saw the prime of Foreman.
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