Bonecrusher Smith vs George Foreman, Zaire, 1974

Neither were especially scientific or imaginative in their attack but George was way more busy, warmed to the task from the outset, and remained insistent. He gets Smith on a roll and tests that chin and stamina. And George was, in his own way, far less stiff. Smith never seemed like a natural boxer, just a big guy, blessed with some talent, who learned the basics late in life. Punches never flowed.

 

Foreman by stoppage, Smith is levels below him.

 

Smith gets a few good shots in, but Foreman has the last one.
Foreman ko 5.

 

They are not the same class of fighters; boxer, and this can be shown by the ATG list.

 

It would be very entertaining and very brutal as long as it lasts, but Foreman has too many tools. He has a wider variety of punches, power in both hands, more skilled, better defense (which says a lot because Foreman could be lazy on defense), better timing, etc. The only thing Smith has over him is about half an inch in height and late round stamina (and there's no way this goes past 6 so it wouldn't matter).

First round they'd feel each other out with some pawing jabs, a few shoves, and a few glancing heavy blows to test each other. Smith lands a big right hand in the 2nd and that wakes Foreman up and it becomes a duel similar to two angry grizzlies quarreling over territory. I wouldn't be shocked if Smith even managed to score a knockdown, but Foreman is just another class of fighter with too many options, had more heart, and was a better finisher.

 

I think you're giving Smith a bit too much credit here. I'd be shocked if he knocks down George.

 

I think Smith wasn't too far from a Lyle level of punching power. Except Lyle was probably just a plain better fighter. Foreman takes a couple of nice shots but Smith doesn't hear the opening bell for round 5 imo.

 

I think Smith is a bigger and stronger and sometimes more aggressive Ron Lyle. It could go either way. It would be dangerous for both of them while it lasted. Smith had a lot of natural ability, but started boxing late. If both had equal training/preparation for the fight I wouldn't bet a dime either way.

I did vote for Smith because it's two free swinging heavyweights who are capable of hurting each other. I do remember Smith after one of his fights being interviewed and wanting to fight Foreman in his (Foreman's) second career. Smith is only 4 years younger than Foreman, but with his power and durability he wasn't the type of opponent that Foreman picked.

Just watched some video of Smith, I feel good about my pick.

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Foreman didn't fight for almost two years before Lyle fight, we all know that.

This fight would look more like Foreman vs Jack O'Halloran.

 

So you think Smith was on similar level to Foreman? Seriously?

 

Lyle was definitely a better fighter, and I agree that he and Smith had similar levels of punching power. Lyle could actually box and win rounds. Smith was almost always behind on the cards and dropped pretty ridiculous decisions to guys like Marvis Frazier for example.

 

When did Smith win a battle where it was two free swinging heavyweights? Smith refused to open up against Tyson, got scared, and clinched multiple times a round. He opened up against Ruddock and was brutally KOd. He was completely outboxed against Bruno and had to pull off a miraculous last minute KO to win.

Foreman beat Lyle in one of the best free swinging wars of all time, and he was rusty with a new trainer and weaker confidence in that fight. I'm trying to understand your logic here for what gives you the confidence to pick Smith. Lyle was a better fighter than Smith was in way better shape doing lots of calisthenics and strength training so I'm not sure why you think Smith was stronger when he was often very flabby. Punching power I'd say even. Lyle started boxing late too.

Foreman did not avoid fighters who had power and durability. Along with Lyle, he fought Chuvalo, Frazier twice, Briggs, and even tried to fight Tua. He once claimed Bowe ducked him (post Coetzeer interview I believe).

 

At the same time, it's much easier to wrestle with Tyson because:

A) Tyson isn't good clincher
B) Foreman was both bigger and physically stronger than Tyson