Foreman's X-factor?

He was more focused so he used what he had to the fullest, where as Max Baer basically did whatever he felt like.

 

Personally I think Max Baer has a very good chance of beating Big George. Both versions.

 

Those flaws could be, and were exposed by people who were slick and had decent jabs. Those flaws didn't hurt him much with the people that would come to him and try going toe to toe.

 

I love George Foreman, but I think he became overrated afer the Frazier fight. He beat the **** out of Frazier but the clash of styles worked in his favour in a big way

 

Well, yes, Foreman certainly had the sheer presence and nature of a fighter.
He was a "beast", and that's not just the sum of physical and technical gifts - it comes from within. He could just impose himself.

Having said that, I think he's a bit overrated (I would actually rate Frazier higher) and I do count his lack of depth of opposition and the way he lost to Ali and Young against him. And I dont think Max Baer is a good example of a fighter who lacked what Foreman had. I think Baer was arguably special in his own way too.

 

Foreman compensated his shortcomings with his tremendous size and strength, a common scenario we now see at the lower weights. For example Tito Trinidad was not a technical wizard, but he was strong as a mofo at 147.

yes

 

OK, I think I wasn't quite reading the question correctly before.
This is what I think ...

This is true.

This is true too.

 

Underrated heart and determination.

His X factor in his comeback was more obvious, but there are glimpses of it in his prime. The heart and determination are there, no doubt. In his comeback he had great ring-intelligence.

I would say his foot-speed is underrated. He's not just a sitting duck to square up and land on. He cuts the ring very well so you can "Run but can't hide."

Lastly his jab is very very underrated.

 

I agree with the first part, but not so much with the Trinidad comparison. Felix was technically sound. Not the best ever, but he used the high guard effective and threw picture perfect left hooks, uppercuts, etc. He reminds me a bit of Joe Louis.


As for Foreman, it wasn't just his strength and power, but also the way he could impose that on his opponents. Naturally. Even if you watch his amateur fights, you can see that he's always dangerous and forces his opponent on the backfoot, somewhat gunshy. I do think a skilled boxer who can take a punch will always beat him (as Ali and Young did), but against fighters who aren't good on the backfoot, he's dynamite.