Statements You are So sick of Hearing ...

Yeah I can see your point re psychological warfare etc. and that, at the least, it reflected Ali’s appreciation of how formidable Frazier was but, just imo, Ali often took it another level in accord with his own mean streak.

Agreed that Ali had balls of steel. That dressing down he gave Foreman during the pre fight instructions is iconic and it almost saw George‘s head explode right then and there, lol.

Funny that Jose King Roman’s chatter also raised Foreman to the level of literal homicidal tendencies.

Jose probably proudly thought, that’s cool, I’ve executed part 1 of the plan to a T, that being getting Foreman uber angry but then, in the next moment, he likely thought, **** me…..I forgot to figure out the all important part 2.

 

Could you hear what he said to George?

 

Not literally but the body language and facial expressions said it all.

Some have “quoted” what Ali allegedly said, incl. probably Ali himself.

I recall reading that, among other things, Ali was claimed to have said “I am your “Master….”

 

Zaire was the real problem not Ali. Real or imagined he was paranoid enough where someone would try and poision him. Who knows what stuff happened to make him believe that. He needed to get tf out of there and fight Ali somewhere else.

 

Yes, it’s arguable that Zaire wasn’t quite as favourable to Foreman as it was for Ali in certain ways but I still think Ali’s own adaptability was a defining feature.

A bit rough that they didn’t let Foreman leave Zaire during the time required for his eye to heal.

But then Ali’s the same guy who was literally blinded in round 5 against Liston and he still rode out the storm. Would George have coped similarly?

In Zaire, Ali adapted himself to a slow canvas and tiny ring, two aspects that were very much in Foreman’s favour.

 

Hi Pugguy.
Good point about Zaire not being favourable to Foreman, the locals, and well the whole country were behind Ali, to a man, his interaction with the poor townspeople, especially the children captivated the hearts of all who saw, in fact Ali did indeed look at home in an African country, the birthplace of his people, Foreman didn't help his case by bringing along his two German Shepherds, they were the dog of choice for the corrupt police, and were regularly let loose on the dissentas, mind you the Foreman of Zaire was a imposing figure, he looked huge, and quite frankly unbeatable, Norman Mailer tells a interesting tale of the heavy bag, apparently Georges heavy bag was much heavier and bigger than the norm, and Mailer said that he had seen all the greats up till that time hit the bag, but none like Foreman, not only the bag would fly up into the air, but Saddler as well, who would be hanging on for dear life, add to this, they shared the same gym, and Foreman would work out in the morning, and Ali in the afternoon, and Mailer wondered what was going through the mind of Ali, when he walked past the bag, and it was creased in half, Mailer had never seen even the normal bag in such a way, let alone this monster that Foreman hit upon, not many HWs down the ages could I warrant have the beating of Foreman at this stage, but Ali was no ordinary fighter.
stay safe buddy, chat soon .
Mike.

 

Great post Mike.

Foreman hitting that bag is something else. We’re lucky to have vision of same.

There’s another, more brief and lesser seen clip of Foreman jabbing the bag - the force behind his seemingly effortless jabs is insane.

Any current attempts to downplay the monster that Foreman actually was is simply pure revisionism imo.

 

Foreman not being good at ring cutting despite catching and gutting all the lighter, more mobile fighters, including one trying to outright flee like Roman, and being praised for the quality by Frazier and Ali who noted he instantly recognized he would ran out of gas in Zaire the way George used ring geometry.

George fought you where he wanted to fight you, but quality pocket slicksters wanted it on those terms.

 

Great post Mr. Cannon.

 

Who did Foreman successfully cut the ring against? Who did he GUT of any credibility? PERALTA a LHW? Norton? Run at a brick wall Joe Frazier? Or do you mean when Ali purposefully went to the ropes and conned him? I don’t care for the dozens of different things Ali had said about the fight, unprovoked Ali b-lines straight for the ropes after landing a right hand a good ring general makes a fight as easy as possible that’s what he did.

 

Hi Buddy.
Thank you, nice to hear.
stay safe Flash24, chat soon.

 

Jimmy Young beat Foreman “because he had his number” even if GF looked better then he ever did in a winning performance he was “past prime” because he lost… Troy Dorsey didn’t quite have Paez’s number but Paez like Tyson showed up not expecting a “fight” 2nd time around was closer on JP’s end but you could say TD won, I expect if Douglas remained true to Tokyo form let’s say his wife got hit by a bus… a similar fight would transpire, closer but Douglas had the right plan and wins again most likely for my 0.2$.

 

Numerous light, mobile fighters and one attempted runner in Roman in Tokyo. Calling Peralta, whom he fight extremely early in his career for the first time and was the first man to stop him at heavyweight in the rematch, as a light-heavyweight is not really demeaning given lighter weight and more compact frame definitely favors more mobile maneuvers as opposed to power-based style.

Ali absolutely and definitely tried to stay off the ropes early on. He collar ties like a kangaroo retaking center of the ring, per Cus D'Amato advice attacks with extreme assertiveness with lead right hands and all whenever Foreman cuts him and sets himself to mount an attack, and clearly still attempts to dance early on. As the round progressed he began standing his ground faster and faster, not attempting to circle or use the ring this much anymore, and coming out to the second round pretty much accepted the terms on which Foreman demanded to fight, beating him in his chosen spots with grit and defensive savvy. That's the brilliance of the Rumble.

The footage aligns with what Ali said as far as I look at it. Foreman was repeatedly cutting him off without him to drive him to the ropes like Norton had to. Two steps to one, and Ali believed he would tire far faster given Foreman's efficiency. Sandy Saddler and Archie Moore in his corner did a fine job since teaming up with George; Moore was a tutor and friend of Sandy and helped orchestrate the fall of Willie Pep as well. And speaking of Kenny, he absolutely tried to circle, but given how he was not much of a dancer, Foreman absolutely had him where he wanted him, whenever he wanted.

 

Hi Buddy.
Agree entirely, have said as much a dozen times.
stay safe Rollin, chat soon buddy.
Mike.

 

There ya go, 100%. Regardless of how you feel about me or my addition, I love for this bro.





Consensus = Correct. Not just a gaggle of ignorant ****s agreeing on something they know nothing about.