Who's bright idea was it to put Jose Roman against Foreman?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by InMemoryofJakeLamotta, May 6, 2024.

  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Lol.
     
  2. SolomonDeedes

    SolomonDeedes Active Member Full Member

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    The WBA originally said they wouldn't sanction Foreman's defence against an unranked opponent. Foreman ignored them, the WBA backed down, and - oh look - suddenly Roman bobbed up into the WBA top 10 after all.
     
  3. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Dick Sadler, Foreman's manager, was a very cautious manager. Right up there with Cus D'amato, Al Weill and to a certain extent, Manny Steward. He just wasn't one to take chances. I remember reading when this match was made and how aghast I was. I had seen Roman fight only once and that was a loss to Roby Harris. And believe me, Harris wasn't anything to write home about. Anyways, Sadler defended his choice of opponent by saying, "If it wasn't him it would have been Jose Urtain or Larry Middleton." In other words, whomever it was going to be, the opponent will have zero chance.
     
  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Wonder how much he made for getting knocked around by Foreman?
    Maybe the money made up for it ;)
     
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  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    It was just to keep George active. No one considered that a serious title defense ( probably not even Roman .)
     
  6. CANNONBALL

    CANNONBALL Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Roman was at least a legit fighter as opposed to media/Don King creation McNeeley
     
  7. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    Not my info
     
  8. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Poor Jimmy Young could not crack an egg.
     
  9. Ney

    Ney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I thought Foreman looked awful, despite the first round KO. He had some wild swings against Frazier, but my God was he all over the place against Roman. He threw punches in so many wild, un-coordinated arcs, I guess there was nowhere for Roman to stand where he wouldn’t get hit.

    But how half this forum can watch a performance like that & not expect Joe Louis to cut him down to size with timing, speed & precision power shots is totally beyond me, personally.
     
  10. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    Yeah, prime Louis seems like he could have a counter punching bonanza with that Foreman.
     
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  11. Kid Bacon

    Kid Bacon All-Time-Fat Full Member

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    Dang ... I had just completely forgotten this one; so I had to watch it in YT.

    My bad... it is painful to watch.
    Instead of the classic "Good luck to both of you", Referee could have said "May God have mercy of your soul, Roman".

    After blasting Roman, George actually looks very pissed off, like dissapointed of how fast the fight was over because he wanted to hit him some more...
     
  12. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    How did Foreman beat Roman but lose to Ali?? What do you make of that??
     
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  13. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    George made $1M and Roman $100K.

    Using an online inflation calculator, that’s a bit over $7M for Foreman in today’s dollars and $700K for the challenger.
     
  14. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Well Roman did manage to get beat off Jack Bodell.
    Their again so did Joe Bugner who some suggest could have went the distance with Foreman on another thread.
     
  15. Kid Bacon

    Kid Bacon All-Time-Fat Full Member

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    That makes 350k per minute of fight for Roman.
    Not a bad rate at all.
     
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