Anthony Joshua vs 1974 George Foreman

To me his victory over Wilder was his only truly impressive win.

He's also extraordinarily inactive...not many true greats were. If any. I understand COVID was a factor, but still...

Beating Wilder again, especially via stoppage, would be still be impressive imo (I hope he doesn't, as I'm not a fan of TF). But a smashing win over Joshua, Ruiz, or Usyk would set him into the top 20 ATG category in my eyes for sure. Right now I have him below Norton, as he hasn't beaten a fighter the level of even a 1973 Ali, much less a prime Jimmy Young imo. The 40 year old Wlad he beat wasn't even in those categories imo.

 

That's fair. I've not given Fury's All-Time status a great deal of thought. Like you say, a fair bit of inactivity and one can judge the level of his wins on their own merits, in context.

I think, as you suggest, he needs to get past Wilder again (and you never know with the Heavyweights), then Joshua and then Usyk. That should put him in the Top-20 discussion comfortably.

 

Good point, Foreman had about 3 good rounds, AJ probably has more. GF fought as a giant in his era, against AJ he would be giving up 3 inches in height, 20-30 pounds, quickness, and probably boxing ability. I can't see GF landing a wide shot on a bigger, quicker man. Also, AJ probably has better stamina. AJ by TKO, sometime after 5 rounds.

 

The only thing that gives me pause on AJ is whether or not he takes Foreman's power. Usyk had him stunned with single shots and Usyk isn't known for his power.

 

Something like that could happen, but I see Foreman going more than 5 here. The bonus question is: How much would Foreman rought him up before the scenario takes place.

 

Interesting thread.

Suggesting Foreman is a wild gunslinger is a surface level description, i remember seeing Foremans throwing those haymakers a long while ago and thinking he was terrible until I became a real boxing fan, saw plenty of modern day boxers appear as clumsy and noticed the subtle skill, the jab, the lateral movement he used on occasion, the violence, positioning, his depositoning tactics with frames, pushes and trapsetting used in the ring. 70s Foreman beats everyone today besides Usyk and maybe Fury. aj doesn't suffice

 

Foreman crushes the weight-lifter in 4 rounds

 

Foreman's skill was better than given credit for. He just wasn't the fastest.

 

lol “trap setting” the guy who tried to punch someone’s arms as a strategy? The guy who forced* a fight inside and had no idea what to do there? No head movement, wide swinging should’ve been DQ’d for shoving George Foreman becomes something else when you’re a “real” fan?

 

Nope he sucked (relatively speaking) step below the best, great contender caused an upset against the perfect match up for him at the worst time. A better Sanders, Douglas but a little HW.

 

Oh and uh… I’m invading this thread too so

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Redpill 70s Foreman:

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Arm punching is a trash technique ? Canelo literally does this shi to break opponents down and reduce their offense. What nonesense. Don't delete this post, i want everyone to see your nonsense logic. Canelo literally does this in the modern era and has plenty of success swelling and bruising opponents arms. But Foreman is just a dumb brute with no iq for doing the same thing and setting shots up after framing opponents out of position to create openings. Foreman could move around the ring better than most heavyweights today when he was on the backfoot. This isn't an exaggeration

Ali fought off the ropes, slipped dozens of dozens of head shots and took hellacious beating to the body, what r u watching ? Your hate for Foreman is weird. Foreman has about as much head movement as anthony joshua who is a modern day champion but Foreman could actually take a punch

 

Why would I delete it? I stand by that. Not exactly a strategy to go with when you gas out in 3 rounds lol great “trap setting” he was throwing full blown hayemakers to “break” Ali’s arms whilst falling into being doped (trapped)… clever girl? I’m a giant Marciano fan, did it too, Canelo did it against Bivol worked out great didn’t it? Anyways “framing” oh sure if you’re Joe Frazier… how’d it look against people like Young, Lyle and Ali? Larry did it a lot better he could box like a true champion. Yep about as much head movement as AJ does he? Sure - I don’t know if he beats AJ I don’t really care seems like a 50-50 bout after Lyle lol the one “Brawl” he ever got into. Ali literally beat him into submission in a one sided cagey fight wtf are you talking about? He manhandled George - absolutely a dumb brute and he’d agree lol.

 

Foreman never gassed in 3, and with Ali laying on the ropes either baiting him to attack or using a high guard, Foreman still touched the body countless times, tried to punch through and around the guard, tried to feint, jab and come over the top, tried to manipulate the guard, and Foreman wailed on him when he shelled up before clinching. What else can you possibly do to someone on the ropes ? Uppercut ? Most go down to the body when someone is shelling up, which is exactly what Foreman did but it didn't do anything because its Muhammad Ali, despite Foreman used to fighters falling to his power.

Ali is a goat. You can say the same to any great that faced shortcomings. Klitschko got knocked out 3 times, one of them in 2 rounds by 225lb Sanders. That same sanders fell to bum Nate Tubbs. Klitschko also gassed against Purity and Brewster. Lewis knocked out twice by the same right hand, that's more than Foreman. Rahman might hit as hard as Lyle, or not. Oliver Mccall probably has Frazier or Norton level power based on his fights