Could Vitali Klitschko have replicated Foreman's career?

Vitali Klitschko is substituted into Foreman's place. We will substitute early/prime Vitali for the 70s version, and old comebacking Vitali for the 90s version.

(The versions of Vitali who actually existed; not some imaginary version with 70s training, bell bottom jeans, moplike hair, etc.)

How does prime Vitali do against the fighters Foreman faced at his own physical best? And how does Old Vitali's performance against the opponents of Foreman's comeback stack up against Big George's run?

 

I have no issues with anyone picking Vitali to beat Frazier and Norton. That's who George made his bones off so yes. He'd lose in a less humiliating fashion in Zaire I think, may even stand to say he could trouble "The greatest" I'm not sure how because imagining a fight between them is really hard. He'd beat Lyle and probably Young. 90s career.... Eh, probably. All in all he might impress us more then Foreman did.

 

Only once in the history of boxing did someone lose a title (1974.), and win it again 20 years later (1994.).

 

Good point.
Really can't see that happening again, even though heavyweight s are fighting longer nowadays.

 

No, there's nothing in Vitali's resume to think he'd roll along in the 70's. A TKO loss to an aged out of shape Lewis doesn't provide the substance to believe otherwise.

 

He could replicate his first career, I'd say. Especially beating Norton and that version of Frazier. His loss to Ali wouldn't anywhere near as embarrassing, either but he would still lose. I doubt he'd lose to Jimmy Young or have so many issues with Rob Lyle post-loss tbh.

He wouldn't be odds on to do anywhere near as well as Foreman did in the 90s, however. Especially at a similar age. But in fairness, Vitali probably has a better chance than anyone else does.

 

He would have his hands full with Frazier and Norton both. Might even drop a fight to one of them. But I suspect he would perform better against Lyle and Young than Foreman did.

 

He'd do better. And he was better than Old Foreman in his late 30s and early 40s so he could do the comeback also.

 

Love all the people assuming he would do better. He was never the best of his time let alone George’s. Especially without steroids who knows what he would be. Can’t imagine most of them wouldn’t make it including some of the “Best” of the time. No I don’t think he makes it. Someone makes him quit or cuts him up. Vitali didn’t hit as hard as George and called it quits at 41 citing age. How can anyone say he would continue to fight another four years and Ko the Champ?

 

Vitali's ceiling was lower than Foreman's.

It's highly unlikely that he could replicate Foreman's career

 

Beats Chuvalo, probably beats Frazier, not sure about Norton, loses to Ali, stops Lyle and definitely beats the older Frazier, loses to Young.

Stops Cooney, is stopped by Holyfield, stops Morrison, beats Stewart, decisions Moorer, stops Briggs (depending on the ref).

 

Vitali beats everyone Foreman faced

 

In most aspects I think he probably could have yes

 

Vitali beats 74 Ali

 

I dont recall George being the best of any era.