I am a big fan of George Foreman, he is one of my favorite boxing personality's. Early in his career, Foreman had one of the most padded records ever. It was a common occurance at the time. When Foreman fought Frazier, Joe was past his prime but something I noticed was that Frazier was a good left hooker but it was the right hand that lost it for Foreman vs Ali and it was the right hand that Young dropped Foreman with. Also it was the right hand vs Lyle that got George in trouble and put him down time and time again. In fact I recall Howard Cosell and Ken Norton talking about how effective Foreman was to the right hand. Now we all Know Frazier was void of a right hand. I am not saying Foreman had a bad chin but I am saying that the right hand was the punch that he was dropped and hurt by in those fights. Was he vulnerable to the right and did this leave Frazier out of the running for a shot to beat George. And if you do think he was open to right hands, what fighters had a chance to beat him.
I think what you've said is true. But I'm not sure I'd favor a right-handed fighter more than one with a good left just because Foreman's defense is terrible. He's wide open for a lot of different shots. He just has so much power that no one can land enough of them. Watch the beginning of the first Frazier fight. He runs at Joe, and Joe catches him with a left. It wasn't a clean shot, but George was open for it. Joe gets him with the left a few times, but he can't handle Foreman's power. This is my list of fighters who may have beaten Foreman not counting Ali: Jeffries Johnson Louis Liston Holmes Tyson Lewis Vitali (?)- I know someone's going to get pissed about this pick There are others, but these are the ones that come to mind.
Exactly! Ali was hitting George with a lot of pinpoint shots, shots right down the pike and on the button. As vulnerable as George seemed to be at times, I loved his defense back in his younger days. He just seemed to casually walk around and use his arms to swat incoming punches. Not much head movement or feinting.
Like Jack Dempsey said you need a guy with two hands....Thing is Frazier had one hand..Lyle who could punch but not a killer puncher had two hands but the right hand was extremely effective vs Foreman, Young and Ali right hands put George down...as much as I like George i would hate to see some of Joe Louis's right hands finding Big Georges chin
I've always considered Foreman's defence to be very weak. He was open to the right hand, but basically to any straight punch. His strength and power literally were his defence, but against a heavy hitter who can match him in those aspect, it doesn't bode well for him at all. A far inferior opponent in Lyle showed that when he nearly stopped Foreman.
Frazier taller with better footwork and more combos could've beaten Foreman. But then it's not Frazier anymore. :hey
Foreman was vulnerable to speed, from both hands. His defense was pretty terrible, because, as noted, he was hell-bent on delivering obliterating offense, particularly after his success against Frazier and Norton and that, in his time, as the always taller man, he could fire away from beyond his opponent's range. The small Frazier and a cowering Norton had no chance, although Norton did tag him a few times thanks to his size and reach. Thus, rangy fighters such as Ali and Lyle got to him easily. Of the top sluggers, Foreman probably had the worst defense: as an intrinsic part of his style, Marciano swiveled in and out; Frazier bobbed and weaved in rhythm to come in punching; Dempsey shifted side-to-side, in-and-out, up-and-down, poised to strike with either hand; Tyson used bewildering speed to capitalize on lulls or misses and punish the body and head with several blows in succession. Foreman just came in arms outstretched, probing with the left, seeking to throw bombs, which he did very well. But if you had a punch, reach and speed, George was in a fight - and with little real counterpunching skill to boot.
I thought his defense actually improved in his comeback career. He still got hit, but protected his chin pretty well with that crab cross arm defense. Hes always been a plodder, but in his comeback he was forced to adjust because he could no longer move his head in time to avoid punches.
Comeback George had sound technical skills. If all you had to see was his comeback, you wouldn't really think that he fought like he did back in the 70's and vice versa.
Archie did a fine job teaching how to relax in the ring....still he really did not face any killers but hung in there vs Holyfield and the Archie defense and rolling with the punches helped his style and stamina
While George didn't face a Lennox or a Bowe, he still faced some dangerous fighters. He was 48 and fought Shannon Briggs. Briggs isn't great, but he is a very good puncher, no disputing that. Morrison fought with his brain for the only time in his life against Foreman and boxed, and as a result he didn't lay serious, serious leather on him. But he's still a big time puncher and WAS landing on him. Even Holyfield, Holyfield is an above average puncher in my view and was peppering George with both hands. Despite 70's Foreman being better, I don't see him having the schedule that 90's Foreman had without tasting the canvas.
Yes he did. I would say he did face some decent punchers. Stewart, Briggs, Morrison, were decent bangers. As far as overall killers youre right, besides Holy who wasnt the biggest puncher, none.
A big man with good power and good straight shots would give foreman trouble, and i believe a big man with a good uppercut would be bad for him:verysad!
George all but abandoned his crab defense after his loss to Holyfield. IN every fight after that loss, George used a more traditional stance and defense. I always thought that crab defense had its limitations. It was great for blocking, but it made counterpunching difficult.
