I never claimed Smith had faster hands. I was solely responding to @Glass City Cobra's claim that Foreman was faster. I wanted to clarify whether he was referring to footspeed or handspeed. Both men look like they have slow hands. No. On the contrary, I never said handspeed would be an issue. I agree that both men have slow hands. That's why I was asking for clarification on your statement that Foreman was faster.
Buddy Baer was a second rate talent at best and your defense of him is sad in trying to make a point .. Galento post Louis was shot. Abe Simon, please. Savold and Compolo .. you compare this to Bruno, Weaver and Witherspoon ( who you choose to leave out ) ?
Foremans hand were faster. But it's like arguing over whose taller when one guy has 0.5 inches over the other. Bomber was trying desperately to make a point hoping it stuck.
I agree, Baer was a second rate talent... just like Smith. I mean, Savold and Bruno is decent comparison in terms of levels. What's so special about Weaver? He lost one third of his fights... Witherspoon is legit, but he trashed Smith in the first fight and got unlucky in the second. I don't try to portrait Baer as better than he was, I just want you to realize that this is the level we're talking about with Smith. He was absolutely nothing special and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he lost vs Baer. Buddy was bigger, punched harder and was probably tougher, so in fact if you are bullish about styles, he should be favored.
I really can't see why anyone would pick Smith to win. He either gets knocked out, or hugs and loses a decision. He ain't beating Big George!
I mean, if you held a gun to my head, I'd say that Smith's hands looked a small bit faster than Foreman's. But they're both slow, and my guess is still just an average. If I actually measured it, I'd probably find times where each guy looked faster than the other.
I still remember a few viewers of the WBC champion Mike Tyson vs WBA champion James Bone Crusher Smith calling him Bone Hugger following his title unification with Tyson in March 1987.
