I agree with much of this...except Michael Moorer was the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world coming off a win over Evander Holyfield. Moorer was in his prime and favored. Foreman fought Holyfield tough. Took him the distance and shook him a few times. Better than Tyson could manage.
I think Forman benefitted a lot from basically being the first super heavy in a division without any. His style wouldn’t translate well today since he’d be smaller than almost every ranked heavyweight, especially if he didn’t bulk. Crude styles are more dependent on size advantages.
Foreman was deceptively skilled and was probably the strongest fighter ever. Fury is the only current fighter who would have a decent chance against him. Not so much because of his size but because of his immense skills and heart.
Foreman wasn’t great the night he beat Cooney and he didn’t have to be. It was a carefully selected name guy cherry pick. Cooney, coming off a loss to a light heavyweight had fought a total of 2 fights and 6 rounds in the last 5 years. He also had known drug and alcohol issues. Meanwhile Foreman had fought 19 times going into the Cooney bout since his comeback began in 1987. Quite frankly one fighter was very active and one was not. Also one was not living right outside the ring and the other was. Having said that, Cooney still rocked Big George in the opening round. To the point that I think George respected Cooney’s power more than almost if not all of his comeback opponents. Just check Cooney feinting the hook in the next round and nearly having George flinch out of his boots. Nobody made George flinch like that.
Gerry looked lean and intense and had hunger in his eyes.....he appeared suddenly older his muscles paler...but man he looked intense..and it looked like he was seriously pissed at George ...and decided to box beautifully for a round before the formidable Foreman folded him like an accordion. If the Gerry of the 1st round had fought Spinks....we would seen Tyson-Cooney in 88. One of my favourite fights cooney-foreman...like a dream fight come true
George's chin was pretty tough. He proved that in the 90s even being 60% of the force he once was. Would you agree?
His chin was a function of a more relaxed style and added weight. He was too tense in the 70s and gassed/got knocked down because of it. Foreman from the 70s would totally gas out if he had to wrestle around with Fury or Wlad. It never really was about his chin.
Fury has the right mix of size and boxing skills to trouble Foreman. Wilder would get knocked out early. Joshua? He would probably try to fight a smart fight. He could beat Foreman fighting intelligent but I certainly wouldn't bet on it. I'd have to see more his career playout. He might be a little too light on the left side. He still has a chance to prove that wrong. Whatever the result it will have zero to do size. None would stand in front of him. Ruiz? Nah. Fury is the only one I would pick.
If they could get the fight to the middle rounds. Fury is the only one that would be a threat to do that. Foreman gassed in fight when he had to chase guys (Young) or when he couldn't land (Ali). Funny you even mentioned Wlad with his stamina issues. Vitali may have a more realistic chance than his brother.
You have to take into account that Foreman was nowhere near Joshua’s size. Joshua would be finding him at range and has shown that he can move laterally on the outside for 12. Two great matchups would’ve been Foreman against a totally juiced Jarrell Miller and Andy Ruiz. I’d completely back Ruiz too.
Foreman would get drilled by Wlad and manhandled in clinches. Two totally different sized men with a a large gulf in experience.
About 225-30lbs. Uncommonly strong with heavy hands. That would be the best bet for Joshua avoid exchanging with George. Remember Foreman had an excellent left jab too. He didn't always remember to use it. That was one of his flaws. Its possible Joshua could win that way. It's not hero worship to acknowledge George Foreman brought an intensity that i don't know if Joshua could cope with. When he got a man in trouble he knew how to finish it. Like I said before I could be off on that Joshua hopefully will show otherwise.
Cooney thought Foreman was a perfect easy mark to leapfrog into a big money title bout, another Lyle or Norton .. the problem was that unlike Gerry, Foreman actually trained hard and was very active and Cooney was no longer the fighter of 1981.
