George Foreman vs. Vitali Klitschko

Incidently, id pick Foreman to stop Wlad.

 

Foreman.

 

Foreman KO3 - Foreman does to Vitali what he did to Norton. Norton backed up and Vitali leans back. Leaning back against Foreman is suicide because hes a 6'3 constant punching machine throwing 100 power punches a round in some fights.

Foreman has the advantages is speed, power, strength, stamina.

Foreman is also a technically far superior puncher to Vitali. Vitali arm punches off balance, Foreman plants his feet and throws compact short sharp punches. Foreman's compact punches would land before Vitali's. Foreman didnt always throw compact he would swing wildely at times but he did throw compact straight shots.

 

foreman ko 6

 

Did Ron Lyle have any great advantages that Klistschko doesn't possess? Ron Lyle actually seemed like the stronger fighter in his fight with Foreman. Foreman was actually backing up in that fight numerous times - something that was very uncommon to see. I just dont think Foreman would blitz Klitschko. Klitschko's size and overall strength would pose huge problems for Foreman. Klitschko was used to fighting guys Foreman's size; Foreman would be unaccustomed to fighting somebody so big and skilled. Foreman probably hit harder, but much of that power I think would be negated by Foreman having to punch up against a larger foe.

 

Foreman ko'd Cooney easily enough who was 6'7 and easily Ko'd Norton who was 6'3. Lyle was faster than Vitali and better inside

 

In all fairness, the Cooney fight means nothing, given that Cooney was basically shot, and probably wasn't as good of a fighter as Vitali even at his very best. Norton was a great fighter in his prime when Foreman beat him, bit had neither the size, power or chin that Klitschko had. Nevertheless, I would still pick Foreman, but not necessarily based on the performances that you listed.

 

I was going to post this matchup too and would have to give Foreman the nod. Vlad does have good skills but he can be had on the inside. Peter reached him a number of times in their fight and I am sure George would too. George's jab was a piledriver and underrated. He used it well especially in his comeback. His chin (in the comeback) was granite. I don't think over the long haul Wlad could keep Foreman off of him and at some point Big George would lower the boom. Would be a hell of a fight to watch though! IMHO Foreman by KO in 10

 

George by ko Vitaly has the tools and chin but Im not certain about his heart I cant forget that terrible quit against Byrd,when all he had to do was coast the remaining rounds.Vitaly partly redeemed himself with a gutsy display against a fading Lewis ,but once a guys quit ,I look to see him do it again when he' s under pressure,and Foreman would put him under pressure Vitaly has beaten no one that I rate ,so he is still unproven at the top level,Big George gets him.

 

Foreman was a big puncher but besides that gift, he was unskilled but not totally...I think Vitali had a good chin and an awkward style and could give George a lot of trouble, Cooney wasnever solid fighter, he had a GREAT hook to the body and head but take that away and he was a frail heavyweight. I remember watching Cooney win the middleweight Golden Gloves in N.Y. and then lose at Light Heavy by T.K.O. to one of the Davis brothers, I think Johnny. Gerry was thrown in with Holmes without really being in a fight. Vitali has had some fights that his chin was tested and came out with flying colors, Lewis,Sanders,...there were also fights that he really never got hit because of his other skills....I think baring injurys (which could be a strong possibility) Vitali could present a problem for George, I really dont see an early blowout for Foreman and the Young George who was Champ did not have the stamina to keep the pace with Vitali who had late power, George had heart but I could see this fight going into the 8-9th rd with George dead tired and Vitali stopping George TKO, I could also see George punching Vitali on the collor bone and breaking it in a freak accident...but if all goes well...George has to try to make an early stop and I dont think this can happen vs a prepared and healthy Vitali.... a patient Vitali TKO in 7- 10 vs a young George, vs the older version about the same

 

Even though i disagree with your prediction and would favor Klitschko in this matchup, i have to admit that you made fair and reasonible points.

 

Foreman has the speed, and stamaina advantage? Um no.

Foreman is not tecnically superior either. We need to you tube some Foreman fights and I'll point out what your missing.

 

Conney hurt Foreman a bit in round one. After the fight was over, Foreman told HBO that Cooney is his brother in terms of power. Foreman was in trouble and embarrassed by journeyman Ken Lakusta. Lakusta hit Foreman with a wild shot, and Foreman rocked like a drunken sailor for a few seconds. It was pure spin control by Foreman in the interview.

The point is this; Foreman chin was not as great as some fans think. If Cooney could rock his world in one round, how is Foreman going to make it through 12 vs Vitali? Vitali’s keeps his power with him as the rounds go on. I still believe that Foreman has to win this fight in the early to mid rounds. He won’t out box Vitali, and his stamina will gas faster than Vitali’s will.

 

Lakusta got up after a knockdown, and out of shear despiration charged across the ring at an unsuspecting Foreman, landing a big shot which briefly staggered him. Big deal. Lot's of great fighters get tagged by journeyman. Ali was floored by Wepner. Foreman taking a few big shots in only one round by Cooney doesn't say much either. You also don't seen to acknowledge the fact that Goerge was 42 in 1990, and on the comeback trail, but I guess we can go ahead and ignore that one too.

His one and only KO loss in 81 fights was a result of exhaustion, and to what many believe is the greatest heavyweight of all time, but his chin was not as great as some think? :huh

If a 38 year old Lewis could bust his face open, then imagine what a heavier puncher like Foreaman could do to Vitali? I I don't really believe that, but this type of logic works both ways.

 

I was simply showing that Foreman was not as durable as some think. Lakusta landed one big shot the entire fight, and look what it did. Yes, Foreman was 42 in 1990. Yes he was also badly rocked. I would not compare the Lakusta shot to the Wepner shot, as Foreman was far more dazed than Ali was.

Chins are best tested when they are hit. Lyle had Foreman down and nearly TKO'd. Ali, who was not a huge puncher knocked Foreman out. Young is not a puncher at all, had Foreman down. Lakusta, who was a journeyman at best, had Foreman doing his own version of a chicken dance. I never said Foreman has a poor chin. I think its good, but over rated. And if the above fighters could get to Foreman and cause various affects, I think Vitlai who hits harder than all of them, and throws just as many if not more punches can do that too.

Lewis is far more technical than the wild swinging foreman of the 70's, and faster than the Foreman of the 1990's. It was also the first time Vitali was ever cut. So no, you really can not use this type of logic, but if you do, look at what Stewart did to Foreman's face. In truth, Vitlai was better at marking his guy up and cutting them in comparison to Foreman because Vitlai throw straighter shots for the most part.