¿Who was physically stronger between George Foreman and Jack Johnson?

Did he ever bench 500 lbs? Louis Monaco did. So did Hasim Rahman.

 

Do we know that Johnson was trained to THAT extent? I've only seen one footage of Johnson wrestling and it wasn't really impressive tbh, he got out-wrestled and pinned down by some guy, didn't really show submission or joint lock attempts either, just regular wrestling. It seems more versatile with the ground-game involved but the actual wrestling aspect seems miles below than today's wrestling.

It's not that much I agree, but Foreman should still be about 30 lbs or so heavier naturally (they are close when in boxing-shape though, 10-20 lbs or so)

 

We are not comparing him to Marciano or Rahman.

 

Bottom line, the size difference is not enough to say who was stronger.

Thee are Olympic powerlifters the size of a middleweight who are stronger than Foreman

 

Louis Monaco, not Rocky Marciano.

The myth of Johnson's super man strength lies largely in the surviving selection of film we have, bouts against two midgets (Ketchell, Burns) and one washed up dried out alchy.

He certainly wasn't stronger than WIllard in that fight. Outside of film, fighting the reasonably stout Jim Johnson, reports state that Jack "lacked the strength to execute his famous moves." ... "The result of the Paris bout is regarded more from the standpoint of Jack's weakness than for (Jim) showing unusual strength."

Turning back the clock to another decent sized opponent, the 6-1 191 lb. Al Kaufman, observations were.. "(Kaufman) appeared to gain strength as the battle progressed while Johnson began to show signs of weakening." Even Johnson commented on Al's strength.

Just food for thought...

 

For the record, guys, what strongman stunts did Johnson actually do?

Even a partial list with details would be nice. Since they are the basis upon which people are picking him to be stronger than Foreman.

 

If they arm wrestled im 100% sure Foreman would win.

 

Was Foreman stronger in his 2nd career?

 

Not very much food for thought to be honest.

The man who shoves the other man around in a boxing match, is not necessarily the stronger man.

He is often the man who is least economical in his approach.

Johnson is exactly the sort of fighter who would have avoided those sort of entanglements, if they were not to his advantage.

As for his strong man exhibitions, people were consistently paying money to see them.

 

Look how he literally rag doll throws the 230 lbs (same weight as 70s Foreman between fights) James Jeffries across the ring.

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Sent that boy flying.

 

Why so comrade? one guy strength trained, other one allegedly did push ups and chopped wood… ran a bit, hit the bag. Johnson was 6ft 195lbs-200lbs and in good nick, Foreman was in similar (but a little fatter) condition in his prime at 6ft3 220lbs - it’s not like we have bench numbers or anything eh? - only way I can think of is comparing there strength is… “grappling” as it pertains to boxing and Johnson would maul him worse and worse the more the rules are bent to allow wrestling. I’m a pipsqueak compared to Foreman but I’m positive I’d squat more when my back was good then a guy who just runs miles for boxing.

 

Foreman played football and I think messed around with some Judo and Karate practitioners too, on top of him being an excellent grappler by 70's boxing standards. He has perhaps the highest functional+raw strength of any boxer in history.

The idea any random guy with pedestrian wrestling knowledge would easily out grapple him is comical. Johnson was neither a dedicated full time wrestler, nor a dedicated strongman. His trade was boxing primarily, and the wrestling of his day was nowhere near where it is now. Johnson wasn't some skilled D1 Wrestler.

People are also somehow forgetting Foreman is allowed to punch Johnson in a street fight.

 

Uh, who wants to tell him?

 

Just to put few opinions on Foreman's power:

(Foreman - LeDoux tape)
One of the commentators:
Foreman is very strong, I've worked with him in the gym and his is the strongest man I've ever worked with.

(Foreman - Dennis tape)
Gerry Quarry:
Foreman is the strongest man I have ever been in the ring with, and in my opinion, over the years of HW division he's got to be the most awesome physically speciman that had ever been in the HW division