I think the Sanders fight is slightly telling as is the Chisora fight. Both guys backewd Vitali up and didnt give him the room to fight his kind of fight. Vitali likes having things his own way and keeping things clean, a young Foreman would definitely take Vitali out of his comfort zone. Whether Foreman gasses later or gets Vitali out of there is up for debate. Not that it matters, i think both have one mutual opponent in Shannon Briggs
I don't think the Cisora fight should factor too heavily into the equation. How old was Vitali when they fought? 40? Sanders was also a South paw and only had a few good moments. And if truth be told NEITHER Foreman or Klitschko did well when taken out of their respective comfort zones.
I'd go with vitali in the upset of sorts. Mostly for reasons stated regarding size strength and conditioning. The other thing with Vitali rarely mentioned is just how good the guy is defensively. He is almost impossible to land a clean combo on. It's hard to land a single clean punch on the guy. He has that great boxing radar for incoming punches. And because he's so big, the other guy misses and goes off balance. And Vitali throws 60 punches a round. Both hands. Busy guy and a ton of upper body movement in there. I think the ringsmarts and boxing ability of Vitali see's him through the first 5 rounds. That's the tough part. He can afford to lose them but all he has to do is nullify foreman's wide left hook and looping right hand. Once it hits the second half of the fight fight, Foreman's bad habits are going to come into play--he drops those hands a ton when fatigue sets in. His punches get sloppier by the round. What a terrific fight it'd be though and I think the winner is going to have to dig deep to beat the opponent here. Both will have to absorb in order to win. but I'll go with a late stoppage for Vitali in like 10 or 11 rounds. In a bout that takes a lot out of both and the kind of fight neither would ever be as good again.
Laugh at me all you want but I would have Vitali beating pretty much any heavyweight ever. His style was so awkward, so accurate, defense on point, one of the best chins ever and he has never been in a losing position, in his 2 defeats he had to stop becasue of injury which happens sometimes in boxing but in both those defeats he was well ahead on scorecards, that cut vs Lennox was a freak accident and so was the shoulder. I had him 58-56 or 59-55 if you wanna push it vs Lennox before he had to pull out.
Foreman of 1991 that fought Holyfield would be the best bet. Anyone thinking 70's foreman are going on opure nostalgia,he would run out of gass before rnd 5 if he didnt get knocked out first. He would never had bulldozed into vitali and won out against such a huge smart fighter able to punch him out as well. Power :Foreman but not enough to actually make a difference here. Speed: Vitali: Isnt this important for actually getting the punches off? Chin: Foreman ..again not by much and both having chins this probably goes 12. Stamina: Foreman: Again still two big men capable of going 12. Defense :Vitali ,big difference here and hes much harder to hit not just in length but style. Offense: Vitali: Can hit you at longer range while not getting hit,Foreman had to get close or step into punches and got hit often.Vitali oput some vicious combos together if he hurt you or you stood in one spot. Foremans best punch: Jab,but rarley threw combos after it. Vitali best punch : Clubbing right hand. Ring IQ : Vitali: But not by much here,the differance is Vitali could apply what he needed when he needed it..foreman had to bait or be patient with faster guys .Also ability,Vitali was more athletic in the ring so he could switch it up more to what he was planning to do. Who wins. Vitali is just going to be to elusive and strong enough to not let Foreman push him around just as Lewis tried to do.vitalis just not going to stand there and trade jabs he will move alot and this will be big trouble for foreman bc Vitali could jab himself. Foreman was not a counter puncher ,he would walk into shots to land one.Would Foreman be able to catch vitali if he missed? Vitali had great footwork that placed him in favorable angles ,Foreman had little head movement he would be a big target for the longer vitali. Foreman would have to end the fight on a blunt force punch,this would be an ugly fight but foreman is going to eat alot of punches and possiblty force a T.k.o on himself. Foreman would never be a favorite over vitali unless he was up and coming unproven fighter against Foreman,If vitali was the champion and foreman was challenging no odds maker is going to favor foreman here,they just wouldnt,in any era.( well maybe the 60's/ 70's since the mob had its hand making some of those odds to favor a winning bet) They could clean house on underdog Vitali...lol Vitali UD .
Prime Foreman was the best Foreman...of course. You do not retire for ten years and come back as a better fighter. Prime Foreman who I watched train in 74 was a bone crushing puncher. He manhandled his sparring partners and a 300 pound heavy bag like it was nothing. No fighter who I ever watched live hit like THAT. NOT Frazier, Not Shavers. Back in 74 I watched Foreman train at the Playboy club in NW NJ. Stayed all afternoon watching the sparring, bag punching, etc. Later that night we all went back to the training area now deserted. We all took turns trying to budge the 300 pound heavy bag we all watched Foreman manhandle with ease a few hours before. For the most part none of us could budge it. Some in my group were well over 200 pounds. George was the best at cutting the ring. He would within the first minute have Vitali in a corner and against the ropes. Would not last long after this took place.
Foreman! George had a powerful jab and Vitali wasn't the kind of guy that had lateral movement. Vitali would hit George then George would hit Vitali and Vitali would hit the canvas. Ref would rescue him about 2:40 of the fourth round
Foreman by stoppage in a competitive bout.Prime Foreman is better than pas prime Lewis.Look for that uppercut of Foreman.Both guys are flawed defensively, this would be fun to watch
If we are talking a prime Foreman. He will gas out. If he could not get Vitali out quickly this fight will steadily erode for Foreman. I think Vitali beats him on a TKO in the Championship rounds. I think Big George will rock Vitali in a barnburner for the first few rounds. Vitali will go defensive, then mid rounds he starts using his boxing ability and range to regain control of the match. As George tires and gets more sloppy, he will try and come in to land his blows and start getting caught. Exhaustion and Vitalis straight punches really will tell at that point. George will give in around round 11. ..... Great fight. An older George goes the distance but loses a decision.
I think Ali beats him, but unless your a great boxer Vitali has got to much going for him. I cant argue with your post. Who really ever BEAT Vitali? Only injuries stopped him. HE has 45 wins, 41 KOs, only 2 losses, in both he was winning on the cards.
