George Foreman's boxing ability

[Steak]

I dislike reading how Foreman had no boxing ability in his younger years, and relied only on his power, and that the older Foreman was way more skilled than young Foreman. while old Foreman WAS more ring savvy, a younger focused Foreman still had his piston jab and boxing skill.

19 year old Foreman beating the best Soviet heavyweight at the time in the Olympics.

Foreman using his boxing ability to keep away George Chuavlo

Boxing against 22-1 Boone Kirkman

although he still wasnt the most skilled ever, his very heavy jab and decent ability to pick off punches looks like his older self, eh?
Foreman sort of lost that after becoming Champion, and ended up falling in love with his power...but before that, he had that boxing ability people bring up when mentioning his older self.

[Vadrigar.]

It's quite unfair to suggest that he had no boxing ability.

How else did he win a gold medal?

Forman has a nicely poised stance and good foot placement. Very good at blocking shots using his gloves. His chin is also far out of reach due to his hand placement. some nicely timed counter shots can be observed as well.

Amazing ability to cut of the ring.

Cuts of an opponents clinch very well.

[NChristo]

Very under rated boxing ability, above all he was a master at cutting of the ring, he had a terrific stiff jab out in front of him which often threw his opponents of balance and was great at staying in his comfortable punching distance.

Can't wait to see how far Monk will go.

[TheGreatA]

I doubt he somehow learned how to box in his 40's but he had more patience as he got older while he tended to go all out looking for the knockout in his earlier days, which made him look wild yet effective. The man was far from a technician but he knew how to cut off the ring and land his at times looping punches which had brutal power behind them. It got more difficult for him to find the openings as he got older, but he made up for it with added experience which allowed him to be relaxed in the ring.

[fightfan2007]

George Foreman was the man !!!

You could always hear the boxing knowledge when he commentated.... perhaps no purist but the man understood the sweet science better than many.

F**k it, even if he didnt have any boxing abilty I'd want him around in any fight after he saved Lampley & Merchant at the Riot in the Garden - "dont do it son, dont do it!!!"