Which fighter iyo could stand toe to toe with a prime foreman. And win?

I'm sorry, Louis isn't beating Foreman going toe to toe with him... Not happening.

 

Sonny Liston

Louis would have a field day tbh

 

I was reading that in preparation for the Tyson fight, Holyfield bench pressed 365 pounds for 10 reps in training. If you put that into a 1 rep max calculator, that would equal about a 500 pound 1 rep max. Which is incredible considering Holyfield was 215 pounds. A top pro powerlifter that size would be doing about a 500 pound max raw.

 

I still think it was because Lyle got tired rather than Foreman just punching him out. If you'll notice, at the start of round 5, Lyle is just nailing him and Foreman is stumbling around. Then suddenly, Lyle quits punching, grabs the ropes and inhales deeply. That's when Foreman comes on and finishes Lyle.

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Ray Mercer (Version that fought Lewis)
Lewis
Vitali
Holyfield - he done it during periods of the fight anyway
Bowe - Holyfield 1

 

Bob Fitzsimmons

 

'88 Tyson if he moved his head like he was capable of doing at the time.

 

1. Mercer
Mercer could probably pull it off. In fact, the Mercer who fought Lewis to a near standstill might have stopped George Foreman. Reason being, a 70s Foreman left much to be desired in terms of stamina. So if Foreman didn't stop him early, I think Mercer stops him mid to late rounds.

2. Mike Tyson (circa 1990-91)
Yes Tyson. Tyson showed in his fight with Ruddock that he could absorb heavy single shots from a SHW power puncher. Ruddock may not have been an ATG fighter, but neither was Cleveland Williams and Williams is still considered a heavyweight mega puncher. If Tyson from the Ruddock fight replaced Lyle, I think he'd have finished what Lyle started and wouldn't have had to get up off the canvas to do it.

Obviously, no one, including Tyson, could take flush shots all night long from Foreman. But because of Foreman's gas tank, he'd have 5 or so rounds to dispose of Tyson and I don't see that happening. I think it'd be a war where both men would catch hard, heavy shots. But Tyson's hand speed and better combinations would ensure he landed first and more consistently and once Foreman got tired, the writing would be on the wall.

The only way I see Foreman winning this is if he can last late into a fight, while retaining his power. Jimmy Young, if you notice, got more aggressive towards Foreman at about round 7 and later. He said that he began to notice that Foreman wasn't punching as hard and was starting to lose power which is why he became more aggressive. On the other hand, Tyson circa 1991 could go 12 rounds while retaining his power.

3.Sonny Liston
The Liston who stopped Williams vs Foreman would be a fight full of highlights. Liston was a better technical boxer and demonstrated some very good boxing ability in his fight with Williams like feinting, using head movement to slip the jab. In fact, Liston would probably be better served trying to out box Foreman and stop him late rather than just slugging it out with him.

Honorable Mention- Razor Ruddock
Prior to his fights with Tyson, he had a pretty good chin. I think he hit harder than Ron Lyle if you ask me. I think a fight between him and 70's Foreman would go like Lyle and Foreman did. Here's the caveat though: Ruddock wouldn't tire in the 5th round like Lyle did. So like Mercer, Foreman has to stop Ruddock about round 5 or 6 or sooner. If it goes longer than that, then I strongly suspect that Ruddock would pull a repeat of the BoneCrusher Smith KO over a weary Foreman.

 

Mercer would take a fright full beating. He wouldn't win the fight. He might last, though because of his iron chin.

Lewis would be kod if he tried that strategy. Not resilent enough.

Holyfield is too small and not defensively good enough to win with that strategy against PRIME Forman.

Bowe is not good enough defensively. It would be a war, though. He might possible outlast George if Foreman gasses badly. But, if I have to pick I'd go with Foreman.

 

George Chuvalo still says to this day he'd have beaten Foreman is the fight was allowed to continue and Foreman started to fatigue. Which is a real possibility.

 

Tyson has a better shot in '88

His chin was the same but his head movement and jab were better

 

I agree that Tyson circa 1988 would have a much better shot. But since it's supposed to be toe to toe that's why I used an early 90's version of Tyson instead.

 

Cool

I think '88 Tyson v. '70s Foreman would still have toe to toe exchanges - neither guy would be using lateral movement. But, Tyson would be able to slip more shots than in '90-91.

I could envision Foreman hurting '90-91 Tyson with uppercuts on the way in.

 

Peter mcneley and brian london. Galento and butterbean