Tokyo Douglas V Kinshasha Foreman

Douglas would be very offended if he saw you read this. He gave it his all in several fights. There are many interviews where he talks about how hard he busted his ass in training. The idea that Tokyo was the only time he applied himself is Tyson fanboy damage control.

A ridiculous claim with zero evidence, but I'm not surprised.

 

Okay but I don’t necessarily agree with that either.

 

Superior to Douglas in terms of accomplishment, yes. You aren't insinuating that Foreman is superior to Douglas in terms of skill, are you?

 

Douglas was actually stopped by David Bey and Mike White, one a journeyman in debut and the other an actual bum (unlike Chuvalo who you classing as a bum shows your complete ****ing ignorance and stupidly in regards to boxing).

So Douglas didn’t try his best in any other fight now? It sure looked like he was trying against Tucker until he gassed. That’s probably as big an insult as you can give a fighter they they didn’t give their all in a fight and I’m sure Douglas would be highly offended if you levelled that (unfounded and impossible to prove statement) to his face. This is the type of bull**** that Tyson fans peddle to explain away Tyson getting his arse beaten when he’s meant to be invincible.
Facts are Tyson was never invincible and Douglas was the same Douglas as always. Big and talented against a man with a **** poor mindset, a bumbling corner and totally bereft of a plan B.

 

Just an additional observation. I watched some of the Thrilla the other day. Dunphy noted that it was a “large” ring, 21 ft x 21 ft (same size ring as Foreman vs Frazier, Jamaica) and it did look so much bigger than the ring in Zaire.

Foreman could definitely cut the ring but Ali having to modify himself to that smaller ring and soft canvas in Zaire was really something.

You see, no matter the obstacles, Ali was never the would shoulda coulda guy - he was the didda!! A career not built on ifs, buts and maybes, instead, a career built on manifest actuals.

Lastly, in which fights did they ever use a 24 ft x 24 ft ring - that would appear huge I would think.

Monzon always ensured, or at least strived for, a smaller ring I believe - I wonder what size ring he generally fought in?

 

I think the book on Buster was that he did lack dedication in general - and that definition winds it all the way back to his pre fight preparations and conditioning.

So while he might’ve been reasonably trying (real time) in fights, his poor conditioning bit him on the a**. And maybe when Buster felt his body go on him, the same lack of focus that saw him not prepare properly might’ve also kicked in during the fight, with Buster simply saying “screw it!”.

Buster was doing fine vs Tucker but he did begin to visibly wilt - and on the heels of that he also did appear to simply drop tools without trying to fight in defiance of his fatigue.

So Tokyo Douglas wasn’t necessarily reflective of all the planets aligning for Buster on the one night - all else was pretty much already in place - Buster simply came in well conditioned with the actual desire and fortitude to win the fight. In short, he was simply motivated and well prepared.

 

Now this is a good point.

 

No, the Tyson fight wasn't the only one where he applied himself, but it's the one where he applied himself more than ever, and that makes a huge difference.

 

Evidences?

 

He was knocked down fairly. He was buzzed but not unconscious. Whether it was fatigue or Ali's punches Foreman okay with Zack Clayton's decision to wave it off. Not a protest or a word from Foreman at that moment.

 

Just speaking on raw ability. If you were gonna build the the perfect heavyweight boxer from a physical standpoint you'd be hardpressed to improve on James Buster Douglas. 6-4 about 230lbs in top condition, coordination, mobility, good quickness and good power. He had all the based covered.

With his dad's mentality he would be in GOAT discussions. Dad you had to dragged out of the gym, Bus you had to drag out of Wendy's.

 

You can't underestimate the death of his mother 2 weeks before the fight.

 

The version of Douglas that lost to Tucker would have never gotten up from Tyson's uppercut. Look at the punch Holyfield landed on Douglas. Was that harder than the uppercut by Mike?
The Truth he wasn't the same guy. Buster was determined.

 

That applies to basically every single fighter when he wins the title. They all apply themselves the most when they want to become champion. You aren't saying anything profound about Tokyo Douglas.