Why is Foreman regarded as the strongest fighter physically?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Scotty Cork, Oct 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM.


  1. Hotep Kemba

    Hotep Kemba Member Full Member

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    I remember looking this up a few weeks ago. I THINK it starts to decline in completely untrained and unathletic individuals at 30, but in hypertrophy trained people's at 40, until you get to 60 and then the rate at which your mass decreases increases at light speed until you go night night.

    The reason I say I think is because some sources say sarcopenia (the biological process of age related muscle loss) starts at 30 and then some say 40, but anecdotally I've not met a single person involved in strength training in my life who was less muscular at 40 than 30, even those that have had pretty narly injuries and surgeries.
     
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  2. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Holyfield fought Rahman too.
     
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  3. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The explosivneess starts to decline in the 30's for most, I think, but muscle mass and raw strength not until after 40.
     
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  4. Hotep Kemba

    Hotep Kemba Member Full Member

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    Yup yup. Speed actually starts to decline around 25, which is so depressingly early it's absurd. Your physical abilities start to decline the instant your brain has just become fully formed.

    It's interesting that in simple sports based on pure physical attributes like track and field people peak in their early and mid 20's, but field sports with multiple variables and cognitive demands people peak in their late 20's and 30's. Ditto with hyper athletic boxers Vs cerebral boxers.

    But nobody asked lol, ranting over.
     
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  5. Yorbals

    Yorbals Active Member Full Member

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    Foreman was probably the strongest of the 70,s, after 10 years off, he was probably the strongest no of the 90s
    Anyway you cut it, that’s very strong.
    Speed and strength and when they decline are very variable, a lot depends on injuries or lack of activity as well. Im not sure I agree an athlete gets slower after 25, well not usually. Usually 29 or 30 is more common. But it’s quite an individual thing.
     
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  6. Spreadeagle

    Spreadeagle Active Member Full Member

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    Ok
    Ok mate,I guess we'll just have to disagree on the context in which the word ' petrified ' is used.
    At least we both agree that Smokin' Joe was a true warrior whose courage could never be doubted.
     
  7. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    IN fairness to TNSNO1878 I think he meant during the fight when he realized what he was actually in the ring with but I strongly disagree ..
     
  8. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    One guy is a Muslim and the other was an Evangelical.
     
  9. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Ironically if Frazier had any fear of Foreman, he probably would've done much better.
     
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  10. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    :lol: His lack of fear was sometimes problematic and we tried to broach the subject with him, only to be called scamboogahs at the intervention. :cunaooooo:
     
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  11. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Strength in boxing is a misnomer the way people speak about it.

    Based on the footage, Ali looks Stronger to Foreman to me. Foreman also looks stronger than Frazier. Frazier meanwhile looks stronger than Ali.

    There's a mix of intent, styles, momentum, fight-stage and balance going on here.
     
  12. Yorbals

    Yorbals Active Member Full Member

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    That’s a lovely little nugget