Would early 70's Foreman have cleared the 90's with ease?

I love George Foreman, both in his first career and second. Great guy and outstanding fighter. But I can’t see the early rendition tearing through the 90s heavyweight ranks and certainly not with ease. To be clear, YES he would score some big wins and YES we would see some entertaining brawls. But he’d need better stamina and better defense to dominate that era.

 

A prime George Foreman vs a prime Riddick Bowe? …I’m not sure who wins

 

With Bowe's (lack of) defense, I sure am.

 

And George was a defensive wizard?

 

Even as strong as George is …he does not want to be on the inside against Bowe

 

Who has a better chin …. George Foreman or Riddick Bowe ?

 

Compared to Bowe..... absolutely. Foreman wasn't exactly Willie Pep, but his defense is far better than given credit for.

 

Foreman took a flush overhand right from Lyle at the end of the first round and managed to remain upright, really solid chin.

 

George was actually much more of an inside fighter in his second career. This is actually how he KOd Moorer.

A good fight that illustrates this is the uppercuts delivered to Cooney's chin.

 

He had a better chin. And he hit harder than anything Bowe encountered.

Early KO for mine.

 

Holyfield landed something like 20 consecutive punches on Foreman and he would not go down. Ron Lyle hit him with everything too but he got up off the canvas to win that by KO. George did not suffer one knockdown in his second career. Bowe had a good chin but was put down by that dirty ***** Golota and a few others.

Not many could stand there and take what Foreman dished up. I doubt Bowe could either.

 

Poor Cooney. That is one of the best KO's ever delivered. He should have stayed down after he was dropped the first time...too brave for his own good was Cooney.

 

Young Foreman wouldn't clean up the division in the 90s, but he would become world champion. Many heavyweight stars boxed in the 90s and no one cleaned up the division in the 90s, and neither would young Foreman.

 

I agree. I'd also like to point out Bowe's resume was seriously lacking in punchers.... when there was an abundance of them to choose from in the 90s.