Foreman never hit Ali with his best shot, right?

Nope. I just perceive it a tad differently.

 

Whatever strategy he employed it didn't work.

 

Rock. Paper. Scissors. Boxer beats slugger.

 

I wish I was alive in '74. Would have made so much money betting on Ali.

 

4 -1 dog. Ali done ----ed up a lot of minds.

 

"They said I had nothing left to offer than my mouth."

 

On the Rumble, "Whatever you think he's going to do he's not going to do and whatever you think he's not going to do he's going to do." -Joe Frazier

 

Completely agreed. And even though I think he didn't give his 100% to try and knock Ali out in no time, I don't think he could have done it regardless.

 

He knew how to use leverage a darn sight better.

 

Foreman definitely did hurt Ali but Ali had ATG grit n durability. He held on, literally, and popped George w straight shots outlasting him as George's stamina wasn't the best. Don't get it twisted, Foreman was still a monster and pre fight I get why he was the favourite. It's easy for us to question that after the fact as well as having decades of watching it.

 

I had to go back and watch round 1 John. As is typical when you and I talk, you are correct. I think what was throwing my memory off was that I don't remember Foreman going for the head as much, which of course would be the most aggressive thing you could do. Now, Foreman landed almost nothing to the head in round 1, but as you say, I observed in the rewatch Ali tied him up every time he went for the head, and Foreman basically tried to make the best of the situation and wail at the body, which to be fair is not really George's repertoire. I think I had a logical reason for misremembering, but you are correct, and have obviously won this debate.

May I just add, I forgot how wild that first round was!

 

Ali put Big George in a headlock at the end of the first round. Sugar Ray Leonard also put Marvelous in a headlock at the end of the first round of their fight. That was intentional.