Jack Johnson was a slick boxer. Those types usually troubled George Foreman. I am not saying he would win, but I think, of the pre Joe Louis fighters, Jack Johnson has the best chance of upsetting George Foreman.
To my way of thinking the only two with a legitimate shot to defeat Big George are Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey. Yup, if Foreman fights that duo he might get all Jacked up. In all seriousness, I'm giving Dempsey the best shot. He has an obvious size disadvantage but I believe his complete lack of fear and his whirlwind style has a chance of catching George and hurting him. If that happens the Manassa Mauler would finish him off. I'm not saying I think Dempsey would win, just that he has the best chance of winning.
I'd say Johnson he has enough tricks to perhaps befuddle Foreman at least for a bit but I wouldn't bet on him the rest are either too small or too limited to truly give Foreman a tough fight
Dempsey or Braddock. Neither have a good chance but they are the only ones who have the power, size, skills and durability required to have a chance. Godfrey seemed to do better against fellow giants maybe he could do something. Maybe Godfrey could trick Foreman into getting DQd or something? Fitz's punchers chance might be more than anyone else has got. Hes really the only one who hits harder than Foreman and is hypothetically capable of knocking Foreman out. Like if Fitz gets lucky once every 20 fights or so would that be better than anyone else pre Louis does?
Fitzsimmons hit harder than Foreman? In what Universe? He might be harder puncher P4P but no way he even comes close to Foreman's punching power H2H
Loads of those guys could do it potentially… Tunney, Schemling, Sharkey and especially Dempsey. People really base a lot on a little with GF, the above might just be too professional for him, GF has a better shot with say Bowe, Tua, Liston and Wilder he’s a class above those ones but they’re an example… he’s a fighter that needs a standing target to knock down like Frazier, Norton and Lyle you don’t let him fight say Tunney or even an in shape HW Toney his physicality won’t overcome that HUGE class difference.
Gene Tunney was a rate mover back then could have Foreman in problems. However I think Foreman would eventually detonate against all of them I think Ali messed with Foreman's head massively and showed how to beat him in a way it wouldn't happen then.
Definitely Tunney, he had great boxing ability and movement, Jack Dempsey would walk straight into the uppercuts of Foreman, people saying Jack Johnson, I don’t agree because he relied on the clinch. He looked to get a punch or 2 off on the outside then clinch and use his strength, but much he absolutely couldn’t do here, Tunney has more tools on the outside.