Could Tony Tucker (1987) Go The Distance With Foreman (1973)?

My guess is yes, and after about 7 rounds, the question becomes, "Can George last 15 rounds?" I think George has problems down the stretch here, at least with the Douglas/Tyson version of Tucker...

 

Could George go 15?

 

Not gracefully.

 

Absolutely. I don't see George doing well at all after about 7 rounds when he likely starts to gas. Tucker gains confidence around that point in the fight and increases his output. Whether George lasts 15 here is the question IMO.

 

I think Tucker probably could last the distance if he went into safety mode like he did against Tyson. But, I don't think he would win.

 

“They tried to force me to fight Tony Tucker after I’d beaten Michael Moorer and I remember looking at Tony Tucker and saying ‘momma didn’t raise no fool’. I’m not fighting him, and they took the titles. Some people I’m not going to fight. That’s the good reason, I didn’t want to fight him. Too tough. I’ve got to tell the truth.”

 

Tony Tucker often fought too passively. Shortly after Foreman beat Moorer, Tucker lost 3 straight to Seldon, Akinwande, and O. Norris. Foreman would likely have handled Tucker around this time as well.

 

He likely dropped a belt to avoid fighting him. And Tucker was good against Seldon. His eye closed and the doctor stopped it.

 

No.

But he has a better chance then most champions.

 

It’s not out of the question. Tucker was no Muhammad Ali but he was a fairly fluid boxer with excellent stamina and durability. He wasn’t a big puncher but had enough snap to keep his opponents honest. At 6’5” 225 lbs and pretty fit he’d also be taking away the usual size advantage that George enjoyed over many of his foes. So yeah, while i might not FAVOR Tucker to win it’s certainly a match that could be potentially problematic for Foreman. Incidentally Tucker was George’s mandatory title challenger in 1995 and Foreman passed over him

 

Tucker is big enough and durable enough to go the distance with Foreman yes.

I do think Tucker is too passive to actually win the fight however.....

Stylistically a 6'5 skillful durable boxer like Tucker isn't the easiest fight for Foreman.