How good was Foreman`s performance v Cooney?

Yes. Have you seen Chuvalo? Norton? And many other fights where he rarely pushed? Pushing is a fine tactic depending on your opponent. Push to get your opponent off balance unable to set and to put them at your desired distance and range.

 

It is also an illegal tactic.

 

Not disputing that. But it’s done nonetheless. Just as other dirty tricks are employed by many great fighters. Not condoning it just saying it’s not uncommon. From Holyfield’s headbutts to Wlads holding to Ali’s Marcianos and Tysons antics the hw scene is no stranger to illegal tricks

 

I saw footage of Foreman-Jack O’Halloran and George actually boxed completely purely. No pushing or anything. Then again he shoved poor old Ted Gullick around for fun. Ditto Kirkman.

George was pretty enigmatic even in those days. The shoving worked for him so he used it but it wasn’t something he relied upon either. It was a tool he had more or less.

 

Foreman was virtually always bigger than his opponents. I don't see how his strength is in any proven against guys that are 240 plus

 

I think Foreman was the biggest heavy from that era who was world class in terms of ability after Joe Bugner.

There were bigger guys but they failed to crack the top 10

 

Ali's single right hand on Lyle basically ended the fight. It thudded off Lyle's jaw with perfect speed and timing.

 

Yes the big men weren't good enough. Foreman wasn't much bigger than Ali and Lyle.

 

Like Andy Ruiz?

 

Ruiz's strength is proven against guys 240+.

 

Lyle covered up with both hands and literally did not see the right hand coming. A perfectly timed shot to the jaw with good speed and accuracy can be more damaging than a big wide swing that you do see coming.

 

Foreman never got outmuscled and always seemed to just overwhelm people in that department, so why would you assume that his strength would be ineffective against men 10 lbs heavier?

That's not how functional strength works anyway. Unless someone is jacked with much more powerful muscles, simply weighing a few lbs more isn't going to automatically make you stronger than someone.