My point is that a lot of guys could potentially have better careers if put in other eras or without the presence of dominant champions. Schmelling could have regained the title had he faced Braddock. Without Holyfield or Lewis Bowe could have got in more title defenses.
Foreman was also lucky in the sense that he didn't have to deal with skilled super heavyweights and normally was the bigger stronger man in the ring. In later eras he wouldn't enjoy the physical advantages he held in the 70s.
I ran into this article that I linked down below couple months ago and then earlier today I came across this thread. Beings that the thread is a year old now this may not get seen by anyone, but if so, I apologize if it's already been posted. given the subject of the thread i figure some may find it kind of interesting. http://www.mombu.com/sports/t-moore-vs-foreman-6302080.html
Wow, I never saw this before. I rate Foreman’s first career. He is a legitimate champion. George really was at that time not only champion but also the best heavyweight in the world whilst holding the title. The second career (as Bald George) is something different. The two are separate men. as fascinating as it was to see him win the title as an old man, even though he did beat the real champion, he, nor the champion he beat, really represented the best heavyweight in the world at that time. You can’t take it away from him that he won it, but really, there were about five guys good enough to win that belt before he did. George got there first, without earning the shot, then didn’t fight any of them.
It matters what context this is in. If people say he is one of the greatest ever he is overrated. He was a strong puncher and if a guy had some defensive weakness he exploited it, but a smart boxer who could move and counterpunch could beat him.. I don't think it took the most skilled guys to beat him, just someone who was fast and could avoid his power and counterpunch.. I always thought he could beat Mike Tyson stylistically, but I thought Mike is greater. George understood the stylistic stuff also. That is why he came back in 1987. To fight Tyson. He knew he had the style for him.. Yet he never fought him.
Idk Holyfield referred to big George as the hardest puncher he faced and he was like 42 lol. He won the Lyle fight don’t think he can be knocked for that. Only knock on Big George is the same I have for Holmes. Had the opputinity for two ATGs to meet and it never happened. Had the two fought I think either one would have been put within that top five pedestal as a lock. He’s def top ten for his ruthless destruction of foes but where within the top ten is always up for debate. Also still one of my favorite sports stories top three for sure.
Definitly NO!!! George lost to greatest, no 1 contender Young. His KO of MOORER all time great comeback any sport. LOOK at GREAT KO rate before after loss to ALI. Who fought to such old age cept Archie Moore. Just a great great fighter he is top 5 all time what you want.
That don't make no sense at all. Sure Holyfield got rocked several times in their fight but he didn't look to me as being seriously hurt or about to drop at any time during the bout. Bowe on the hand with a tremendous uppercut and follow-up shots in their first fight had Holyfield staggering uncontrollably around the ring like a drunken Irishman on st.patricks day and he also managed to knock him down and ko him in their third fight as well so how can Holyfield possibly say Foreman hit him the hardest?
Bowe had less power but was more accurate. If Foreman had Bowe's accuracy he would have knocked-out Holyfield. If Bowe had Foreman's power he would have stopped Holy in their first fight.
George couldn’t land consecutive shots like his early years. He also didn’t make Holyfield work like Bowe did. Holyfield was shot in that fight. I sometimes think fighters lie about who hit strongest but if you watch the interview he gave he certainly looked sincere and even looked pained thinking about it
Def depends on the person and the style. Everyone ages differently imo 99.9 pct of boxers can’t competitively box at that age although boxers are staying older and older mainly due to performance enhancers. Imo
