70s George Foreman vs Frank Bruno & Razor Ruddock

Here's how I see it

Foreman would not have the size advantage plus be against two men who could punch.

Vs Bruno

Bruno had all of the physical tools to win this, but I don't think he'd have the mental tools. If he came out like Ron Lyle, things could get interesting. Instead, I think Bruno would have been very tentative and tried to cautiously box. Now, in a pure, civilized Marquee of Queensbury boxing match, I can definitely see Bruno winning. After all, Bruno did have some success outboxing Lennox Lewis.

But Foreman, especially a younger Foreman, wouldn't have let Bruno box. Instead, Foreman would have turned this into a brawl. Where he would shine. I think, Foreman's worse case scenario would be taking a knockdown or being badly staggered, but still stopping Frank Bruno in the mid rounds.

Ruddock, IMO, would have been more dangerous than Bruno. When he wanted to, he could move well for a big man. And in my opinion, had one punch power comparable to Foreman's. For instance, Dokes and Smith weren't the most top tier of opponents, but they were big, durable super heavyweight sized heavyweights. And Ruddock rendered them completely unconscious.

Since Foreman was relatively easy to hit, he'd have to be careful just trying to plow into Ruddock. Pre- Tyson, Ruddock showed a very good chin. And had the stamina to go 12 rounds.

Now, Lyle lost to Foreman precisely because he gassed out before Foreman did. Ruddock wouldn't have that problem.

Which means:

Foreman would have to stop Ruddock early. It would be a must.

So I will say Foreman early by KO/TKO, Ruddock late by KO/TKO

Even though he rates higher in legacy, I can't say for certain H2H if Foreman would be able to blow out a power puncher that is 10 to 20 lbs bigger and has approximate levels of punching power.

 

Why so?

 

Bruno was a solid top rated contender of the 80s and 90s with good boxing skills for a world class level. Sure, I won't be wowing my great grandkids in the year 2067 with tales of the unstoppable Frank Bruno, but I will be able to tell them that he was one of the solid heavyweight contenders of my youth.

Just like say Buddy Baer was a solid contender when my grandfather was a boy.

 

That's true as well. The Lyle fight is why I think Razor Ruddock would be particularly formidable and to a lesser extent, Frank Bruno against George Foreman.

Lyle engaged Foreman in a slugfest and came dangerously close to stopping him. In fact, one can seriously argue that the chief reason why Lyle lost was because he gassed out. Another round or two and Foreman likely would have been counted out.

 

As I said, I think Foremans worst case scenario against Bruno would be a knockdown or being visibly rocked, but still stopping him. However, while George Foreman was the better fighter, Bruno was the better boxer. For instance, a younger Foreman could never hope to outbox Lewis the way Frank Bruno did, Foreman would have to attempt a blitz in order to have a chance at success.

The thing with Razor Ruddock would be that he'd have to starch him early, while still being cognizant of Ruddock's own power, because he could hurt Foreman and Foreman wasn't exactly the poster boy of what we think about when thinking "defensive wizard". Foreman, would in fact, be the anti- James Toney.

It's just that if we're talking about Ruddock at or near his prime, his chin may have been tough enough to make it the couple extra rounds that Ron Lyle didn't have the wind for.

Put it this way, if forced to make a choice on the spot if they were fighting tomorrow night, I'd pick Foreman by KO.

But I wouldn't be shocked at the upset.

On a side note, imagine a 70s George Foreman with James Toney or Roy Jones Jr skills. Jesus Christ.....