Foreman- The only man I've ever watched that really felt unstoppable. Punches just never seemed to bother Old George. Morrison's left hook didn't even bother him. A 15 punch combo from Holyfield couldn't even wobble him. An ATG chin zero doubt best of the bunch. Tyson-You needed to beat him half to death to stop him. It happened a couple times but it was never a failure of his chin that lost Tyson fights. Hard to hurt but tended to fold a bit mentally if you did. I think his chin is better than Holyfield's physically, but he did not have Holyfield's unbreakable will. Holyfield- He fought bigger men and could be worn down (Bowe 1) but his recovery was unreal. Like Morales the fight wasn't really on until Holyfield got hurt. Ate numerous clean shots from ATG punchers and just came back harder. A good chin coupled with a fighting spirit like Holyfield's made his chin seem a lot better than it was. He was most dangerous when hurt, but he COULD be hurt.
I feel stupid saying Old Foreman took a better punch than when he was younger, but that's what the results show. I simply never got the impression that 70s Foreman was the same unshakeable rock as he was in the 90s. Ali who really wasn't much of a puncher had no trouble buzzing him throughout the whole fight and Lyle almost killed him. Tyson for my money took a better punch than Holyfield. I don't think Holyfield had more grit either, at least not when it comes to a prime Tyson. He was simply more cagey and versatile, knew how to smother or hop on the bike when hurt. Tyson would just keep coming forward and soak up punishment until he got KO'd. The punishment he took against Douglas and Lewis was insane. My rating: Old Foreman - Tyson - Holyfield - Young Foreman
If you're stupid, so am I as I agree with every word. Ali was rocking George long before fatigue became a factor and George nearly became a rare kayo win against a top fighter for Lyle. But older George took booming shots flush without riding with them. Incredible. Agree with your views on Holyfield and Tyson too. Good post.
Young foreman had better chin than tyson and holyfield,foreman was dropped always when he was gassed. Bert.cooper did put holyfield down like a rag doll.
What round did Lyle first put George down in? In fact, have a look at how much trouble George was in during the first round. He was probably gassed, though. Like you say.
Lyle did hit like a mother****er but they traded hard in the early rounds so yes,probably foreman was losing stamina faster than usualy
That's what relaxing in the ring will do for you, even if you're an older, much heavier specimen than you were in your prime. Calmness is one of the most underrated attributes you see among great fighters. It's truly a huge asset. Think Salvador Sanchez as example A, and James Toney being example B. Two extraordinary fighters in completely different weight classes who can attribute much of their success to their zen like calmness in the squared circle.
Yeah, when I started sparring, I did WAYYY better once I got myself to be calm and relaxed. You'd have thought you were watching a different person spar.
Some fellas just love to fight, it is like they were born in the ring. Sanchez is a great example. Old Archie Moore is my fave example of that kind of ring zen master. There was a reason he managed to have so many fights and still fight as a very old bloke. I reckon Big George modeled his come back on Moore, complete with cross armed defense. Ali, Pernell Whitaker, Monzon and Toney are all guys that had that air of complete relaxation in the ring. Cheers Mate.
I look at Foreman's 1st career as a state of mentality of a much younger man with some self doubt......95% of punch resistance is mentality and focus in Georges first career his fights with Lyle, Ali and finally Young were of a young man who had started to lose his confidence.
