George Foreman , overrated ?

Cheers G

 

Underrated. Especially the return version. Imagine the trail of stiffs he'd leave behind him if he was around in the post Lewis era.
Put 38 4Man in 2003 and he'd go unbeaten all the way up to 45. Only Vitali would have a chance of winning. He puts Wlad flat out on his back piece. Not even a contest.
The rest all get blown away. You needed legs to beat Foreman and there wasn't any in the post Lewis era.
You couldn't name 3 guys who were fleet footed and could stick n move/box n move off the back foot. Everybody was come forward in straight lines and would get gobbled up by Foreman

 

Have to disagree here, Saverese and Stewart came right at him and Foreman could not put them away, a shot Tyson folded those two ham and eggers in less than 3 minutes combined. Axel Schultz easily lasted the distance and arguably
beat him and Schultz is nothing to write home about.

In his first career he was "the big" guy same as Liston was "the big" guy" but once you put Foreman against genuine Super Heavyweights he is not going to be the wrecking machine he is generally potrait on here.

 

Saverese and Shultz fought Foreman when he was past 45 i believe.

Stewart came at him and was almost bombed out in the second round. He then adopted defensive strategy on the back foot. There wasn't a lot of guys around post 2003 that could hit n move like Stewart did in that fight.

 

Foreman without his comeback would not make anyone's top ten. His comeback to win the true hwt championship after a decade of retirement however ranks as the greatest athletic achievement of all time. George proved he was an ATG with ATG characteristics during that comeback that he failed to exhibit in his prime. Foreman ranks top five all time in my book. At his best he would be a difficult opponent for anyone to beat. He was a human force of nature. Destructive power in both fists, ramrod jab, iron chin, ATG courage and determination, incredible physical strength.

 

He might have been a great power puncher but he lacked evasive footwork which set him up for too many counters. He also seemed to lack stamina during the later rounds. At least when he returned he learned how to either pace himself or else train himself properly so that he wouldn't run out of gas in that way. His most impressive accomplishment was fighting at an advanced age [for a boxer]and winning a championship despite of it. Also his change of personality from a morose, silent staring down-opponent attitude into a jovial, friendly chap was very impressive an contributed greatly to his popularity among the fans. It also made him rich via his George Foreman Grille. Actually, I'm more impressed with his non-boxing financial success than with his boxing accomplishments.

 

Contrary to what most believe. I think prime Tyson would be a really bad fight for Foreman. I know hes physically stronger but their styles tell me Tyson could do serious damage early before the strength comes into play. I'd put money on Holy beating prime foreman to. That old foreman was wily an cute, low punch output. The young foreman loses to most that can take him past 4/5....Holmes lewis holy ali bowe etc. Yes I think hes overated quite a bit

 

For an ATG its shocking.. Frazier was on the slide and Norton was knocked out by every puncher he faced. Frazier started to slow for a fighter like foreman. That's why I pick Tyson also in 2 over frazier. All down to that quick v very slow starter. imo it would be finished before frazier warmed up....Worst resume out the heavyweight greats foreman imo

 

Foreman's resume has a lot of filler. No way around that, he has 21 wins against fighters with .500 records or less. Add in guys that has record like 5-4 or 16-10 type stuff and a good portion of his wins are ham and eggers.
He destroyed Frazier and Norton (who lost to every big puncher) that has to count for something.
I think his past prime valiant effort against peak Holyfield speaks volumes that he was a force in his first career.
Michael Moorer was abusing George until Big George unloaded. An all time great come from behind win but I wonder if that punch never lands where George ends up all time.
To me he's top 10 on the back end.

 

I think he may get a little overated at least the 70s version. Remember though he beat Ron Lyle. He got knocked down but he got off the canvas to knock him out. Also we can say he got lucky vs. Moorer but he had to stalk the man for 9 plus rounds and take everything he threw. Foreman put himself in position to land those 4 punches on Moorer`s head. It wasn't just one shot. It was 4 consecutive shots.

 

Foreman did not surpass his previous form in the comeback, he adapted in the way old fighters do.

If you combine old George with young George he is a top five ATG. But instead he's two great fighters who left a bit to be desired so far as a sure thing goes.

He is top ten though. Just.