He doesn't. Foreman wouldn't give him the chance. He'd bludgeon him with his jab, keep him off balance with roughhouse tactics, time him with uppercuts whenever he got close. I don't think any man under 200 lbs beats Foreman without a gun. Especially a short aggressive guy who can only fight on the front foot. Tough as Rocky was, he gets stopped or flat out KOd before his vast stamina becomes a factor.
I'll just say that it amazes me that some people think Zaire Foreman was some sort of H2H monster when he fought like someone who had just guzzled a fifth of whiskey. His timing, poise and fluidity were absolutely atrocious, and he had no defense whatsoever. I can see the likes of Lewis, Holmes, Tyson, Wlad, Vitali, Fury and even Tokyo Douglas making Big George look foolish.
He wasn't any different from when he beat Norton or Frazier, he was just dealing with a completely different fighter. Frazier and Norton didn't get into his head. Nobody did. Ali didn't just rent, but own space there since before the fight. In some ways, he pooped all over Foreman both pre- and during the fight worse than he did Frazier. Ali was scoring nice, shocking lead rights from practically the opening bell. Nobody before was landing with such impertinence on Foreman...NOBODY. He'd never been completely disrespected like that, George had basically Liston/psyched the overwhelmingly majority of fighters before Ali. MA wasn't just completely un-phased, but absolutely INDIGNANT that anyone would believe Foreman could beat him. The same way he was when he psyched the hell out of Liston himself. Foreman just didn't know what to make of Ali...he probably felt like an amateur in the face of such impertinence and haughtiness. And he fought like one because of it.
Good post, and you're absolutely right that Ali psyched Foreman out, but do you think George would have done much better against, say, a more humble and modest fighter of similar skill to Ali? Ultimately, I think any big, technically-sound fighter who doesn't cave to a big punch would beat Zaire Foreman, as he majorly lacked in key fundamentals. Jimmy Young who was great defensively but dull offensively (and had pillows for fists) showed that Foreman could be soundly beaten. I can't imagine what someone like Lennox Lewis would do to someone as painfully amateurish as '70s Foreman.
Thanks for being kind. Pre-Steward Lewis would have gotten pulverized by Zaire-Foreman. He couldn't have taken those shots. If prime (much humbler) Holyfield could have resisted the temptation to punch with Foreman, he would have won handily imo. Just a couple of examples.
And you do not think the Rock did not have roughhouse tactics? This could be a dirty fight early imo on both sides. I give the Rock a decent chance here.
All true. Also poise & fluidity have limited meaning if one can bludgeon someone senseless. The other ATGs named might have a good shot, but they would aslso have to overcome the small, soft ring.
hey legend yea your right I never understood why George is impressive to people not the young ver anyway wasted punches wide sloppy punches no timing just throwing shots bad aim missing mutiple easy shots others didnt and wouldnt no real defense it consisted of pushes which was illegal which the ref let him do mutiple times for a unknown reason and pawing at shots
I wouldnt even wanna imagine what the beat tallest hw ever in Lennox would do let alone mike who was way to fast and great at making openings from counters both of these super skilled dudes would ko George fast seeing ron expose George for the lack of toughness to hard shots from the 1st round shows George would be in trouble fast from these 2 its always odd to me how people leave out Jim beating George but George can beat the best tallest boxer lennox well why didnt he beat jim oh well cause George was felloff the real George would have dominated him and fast well thats a lie cause George still had power he never had any real skills that would ever help him beat Jim or that ali or even a inshape ali
Rocky is like 50 lbs lighter. The dirtier he gets, the worst his chances. Foreman is going to be shoving him around like a toddler and snapping his head with every flush shot.
Have you ever gotten a chance to view Joe Louis va Max Baer? 1935. Check it out. Louis moves and footwork may surprise you. George may try to push Joe. He also may pay for it. Louis isn't a short, crouching fighter like Frazier. He can stiffen a fighter's joints at midrange and outside as well as inside. Joe Louis is a threat from either side. He had a great jab along with every combination. Don't get me wrong Foreman could put Louis down, wouldn't be surprised. Even then Louis would be dangerous. Joe Louis IMO would beat George to the punch, and beat him to the counterpunch. It would be pure excitement as long as it lasted. Not saying there aren't some others who might have Joe's # based on their style.
I think he was suggesting Rocky brings a loaded shotgun into the ring. Or he's a Rocky groupie. I am just waiting for one of them to tell me that Rocky wins by 1st Round KO - without throwing a punch. You know they all WANT to say it. I am welcoming them to. Who will be first?
