At that particular juncture, I would say that shot for shot Ruddock hit harder but that Foreman's power was a persistent un-ebbing factor. Both were powers in the ring. Foreman was slightly easier to defuse in my opinion.
I was pretty closely aligned with the "in crowd" at that time and what you say could not be farther from the truth.
Not correct. George was probably the strongest around. Listen to what Holyfield says if you don't believe it.
Foreman used his strength by pushing etc...and he trained for strength but no he was not the strongest he just had no finesse.
I dont think you are following what I'm saying, Foremans only tactical advantage was muscling guys so of course anyone who fought him talked about his strength because he imposed his physicality. But big strong fighters like Frank Bruno and others actually had skills other than a big punch and NEVER HAD TO RESORT to pushing and leaning on opponents like Foreman. Foremans only chance of ever outfighting Holy was a KO or getting into his head using his 40-50 kb advantage muscling him and wearing him down. Riddick Bowe and others did not have to use these tactics because they had much better skills and didn't need to use their size in that way.
After he won the title he did very little I agree, and I agree also that he failed to face many of the top names at the time. I still thought what he did at his age was pretty impressive though.
By 1990, Foreman hadnt proven **** all, nobody began to take notice of him until a year later when he fought Holyfield. Douglas was on a good run before facing Tyson and he was rightfully ranked and desereved his title shot. People are clutchign at straws now trying to make it out that Tyson chose to fight Douglas so he could duck Foreman. Tyson/Holyfield was the most important fight to be made at the time, not Tyson/Foreman. Tyson/Holyfield had been in the works since '89 but the Douglas loss set that back and then Douglas gave a title shot to Holyfield instead of giving Tyson a rematch and then Holyfield decided to give Foreman a shot rather than Tyson
Obviously you didnt know anything then. King on purposelyplaced Foreman and Tyson on that same card to create interest in a future clash between the two, so your theory holds no weight whatsoever. And i did state earlier and have done on numerous threads, both Bill Cayton and Don King had Foreman down as a future Tyson opponent AFTER the Holyfield superfight. Foremans reign of terror and intimidation was for about 3 fights, from Frazier to Norton. Thats it. Tysons was pretty much through his career. Tyson was a much more intimidating fighter, even in his final victory, Etienne could have got up, but he didnt. Tyson fear factor. Tyson cause more shitstains to the ring than Foreman ever did and Tyson was much more mentally stronger than Prime Foreman (and yes im willing to back that up as well) People ran from Foreman in his second career, not because they were scared, but because he was that damn slow. Tyson would hand Foreman his ass, like he did Holmes.
I take that particular quote w a grain of salt, big time I've watched that fight many times and other than a second in the second round Holyfield barely took a back step from anything Foreman landed .. Foreman was a thudding hitter in his comeback but his power for the most part was not on par w Lewis, Bowe or Tyson .. he was a brilliant self promoter and match maker keep in mind he never fought Tyson, Bowe or Lewis .. he openly stated many times he would not fight Bowe or Lewis
There is some real Foreman bashing going on here. Yes Foreman cherry-picked fights & ducked guys in his comeback. I see no evidence that Tyson was more feared compared to Foreman the 1st time out. And guys did run from him due to being slow, but he did have tremendous power still, & few were willing to trade with him. I have no reason to believe Holyfiled lied about the effect of Foreman's punches, feeling "like all his teeth were knocked out". Evander rarely stepped back, sometimes he should have, but he was qucik enough to avoid too much punishment. You can see at the end of there match a Foreman jab really snapping back the nearly 20" neck of Holyfield. Here is a link to a debate re: if Tua or FOreman hit harder. Most picked Foreman, & see what someone who sparred with both (yet only old George) said about his punches & there effects, especially through the pages of comments. [url]http://www.ajdugger.com/forum.html#nabble-f3829183[/url]
The Tyson worship continues from smart people like Seamus and HE. King absolutely did set up Rodriquez-Foreman with the belief that Rodriquez would outbox him and "expose" him as he gave Holyfield a life and death fight right beforehand. Foreman said he would put Rodriquez right in King's lap at ringside and splattered him right where he said he would. End of the Tyson-Foreman talk. Foreman already had Tyson in his pocket mentally by the time the fight was even considered. Tyson and King chose less lucrative options. Gee, why would they do that?