George Foreman Circa 1973 V Mike Tyson Circa 1990

Foreman KO4-5 in a slugfest. '88 Tyson is a live underdog.

 

Yup, Foreman KO.

Young George had cat like reflexes and was more agile than people give him credit for (see Chuvalo), he could definitely keep Tyson at a distance and neutralize him with his jab, footwork and mauling tactics at least to the point where Tyson doesn't manage to land the big bombs or combos, and once he starts connecting and hurting Mike he'll have him out in a couple of rounds. Tyson will definitely have his moments though.

 

Even prime Mike would have been stopped hard in 3 by prime Foreman. George wouldn't be intimidated at all. Mike would do his usual always-coming in style and be good in the 1st round
...until Foreman starts positioning him into punches. The jab would completely throw Mike's style off, and he'd get more cautious early on. That would be the end, because Mike's effectiveness would cut in half when he backed off/slowed down. Both the left and right uppercuts would set him down hard. Mike would be barely conscious at the end.

 

An unfocused Tyson without his usual corner going through the motions against prime Foreman? Tyson gets brutally stopped within 3-4 rounds tops.

 

Honestly. There is more to suggest Tyson out-dogs Foreman here then vice versa. He’s got a better chin as far as I can tell. Look at what Ronnie Lyle did it’s not “the same Foreman” but that isn’t the point it’s his chin, he was decked and hurt a lot multiple times.

Compare that to Shot and finished Tyson’s prolonged beating at the hands of Lewis who is for all intents and purposes hits as hard as Foreman if not only a little less and it’s telling. Then there’s the Ruddock fight, BoneCrusher fight, Buster fight where he absorbed shots fine and they all had top tier power.

I think Tyson wins out this one. He’s more durable, a LOT quicker and about as powerful with a ton better fundamentals and counter punching potential. I’ve never seen a case for Foreman built off anything but sand against Tyson “Won’t be scared” “Something something Joe Frazier” usually the faster, better, more durable, fitter puncher usually wins in a shoot out do they not?

A literally no ****s to give Zombie Mike with not a care in the world and no love for boxing wasn’t stopped by Lennox till the 7th? Yet Foreman stops 90s Mike in 3 rounds right?

 

Prime Foreman was both a bigger puncher than Lewis and wasn't half as reserved as Lennox was in that part of his career.

 

It really doesn't change anything.

 

What makes you think this? Foreman was KO'd by Ali, he could be KO'd by Tyson, and he will get caught.

Foreman didn't have a great defence, so unless you think he could take Tysons bombs, then I'd say Foreman gets KO'd.

1990's Tyson may struggle, but based on your comment you think any version of Tyson would lose. I disagree.

 

One wonders. How would Foreman react to a more powerful guy then Lyle hitting him flush with multiple shots a piece off a counter...

 

You're right. It's crazy how so many people in this forum think George Foreman as some sort of invincible demigod that bench presses planets for reps and think Mike Tyson as some worthless cannon fodder.

No matter who he is put against he's magically stronger, bigger, more durable etc

Lol. You really think logic applies when any George Foreman matchup is made here ?

 

George Foreman’s best (or one of the best) releases versus Mike Tyson’s worst (or one of the worst) releases.
It doesn't seem like a fair comparison to me.
Anyway my vote goes George Foreman.

 

The thing is not everything depends on strength, power and chin when it comes to Foreman.

Most of his detractors and casual fans never want to point out his subtle, underrated defense, Great timing and reflexes, distance management and overall boxing skills.

Its not fair to make such rash judgements about George Being a simple minded, easy to hit slugger because they are simply not true.

And its incredibly obvious that 90% of posters on Here form their opinions on Foreman or other classic fighters based on highlight reels.

 

Tyson didn't have the ring IQ of Ali, nor the resiliency and adaptibility. I respectfully ask that you change my mind on that.

Ali also didn't have one way of fighting. Mike came forward, either aggressively (when he was most effective) or cautiously (when he was meh). Foreman proved he was expert at examining the styles of great fighters and tweaking his approach to beat them. Frazier and Norton learned that. Mike (though indubitably a great fighter with a sensational, albeit one-trick approach) never showed any ability to do anything like that...ever.

George was never stopped by a big puncher, he only got beat by someone who had the above capabilities.

Frazier and Lyle were big punchers, and he ultimately knocked the **** out of them both.

This is in all deference to Mike, who was extraordinary in the 80s. Foreman had the wrong style for him...there's NOBODY who fought in that always-forward style that could last long with him. Mike didn't have any other way of fighting. Even Morrison changed his whole style to beat George.

So yeah, prime George knocks the hell out of prime Mike imo. 1990 Mike might not have made it even 3 rounds.

 

How about Foreman 76 (Lyle) vs Tyson 91 (Ruddock I)?