Say that Foreman won against Shannon Briggs (which I think he did, the judges were just blind), would he have a realistic chance against a prime Lennox Lewis or would this just be a money fight?
No. Foreman was too slow to deliver the right hand. Lewis would use his jab and bust up 49 year old Foreman's face and the fight would be stopped late with a cautious Lewis doing a lot of damage with his jab and the ocassional right hand. Now 25 year old Foreman is a different story but not the 49 year old version. I am glad this fight never happened.
Foreman gets executed in the ring. He was too slow at that point and Lewis lays down a beating. It's a sad beating that makes Jim Lampely cry. Larry Merchant angrily says that those who sanctioned this fight should be tried and convicted of criminal charges.
I have Foreman as my HW GOAT but probably no. The Moorer KO was the final KD of his career over 4 fights earlier. Foreman could still hit hard per testimonials but it wasn't resulting in knockdowns. Foreman was winning by outlasting guys in decisions. Which while a testament to how skilled and well rounded he'd always been doesn't bode well for his chances against Lennox. Its possible in the Schulz, Grimsley, Savarese and Briggs fight Foreman knew he could win on points and was was trying to win each round instead of searching for one shot. While in the Moorer, Holyfield and Morrison fights Foreman knew he was losing and was giving up rounds trying to tire his opponents out. Which would presumably be his gameplan against Lennox. Lennox might be a softer target then Briggs, Savarese and Schulz but I'd feel a lot better about Foremans chances if he had demonstrated more recent power feats. I'd pick Foreman to go the distance and win like 2 or 3 rounds. I don't think Lennox would try and hurt Foreman it'd be a risk and no one wants to be a Larry Holmes.
Lewis is a bad matchup for Foreman in general but putting him against ancient Foreman who threw punches with the velocity of a speeding glacier is a terrible idea. Foreman had success against Briggs because Briggs liked to slug it out up close and personal. Lewis would be using his long jab to box Foreman with. He was much faster than George and would doubtless win a battle on the outside. That leaves Foreman the option of getting systematically outpointed in a boxing match or trying to put on the pressure by closing the distance. Again, he was too old and slow footed to do so. I'd hate to see what the Lewis uppercut does to a guy trying to reach for him.
Not a chance. I love Foreman but at 49 he gets massacred. Lewis could get the KO but would probably play it safe. I don’t think George would’ve taken that fight even if he got the decision against Briggs.
