Corbett vs Foreman. 1893, 45 rounds

Foreman's admittedly crude take on a 1970s combination punching system is going to be more of a shock to Jim Corbett than Jim's grappling and weird tiny gloved punches would be for Foreman.

Foreman wouldn't need 45 rounds.

Make it Jeffries or Johnson at heavier weights and things might change.

 

If it goes past 42 rounds, I like Corbett’s chances.

 

Yeah, it's really the addition of the 43rd round that levels the playing field.

 

With Foreman's stamina problems? Don't think so! Corbett went 61 rounds with the great Peter Jackson...Foreman was gassed against Jimmy Young back in 1977.

 

Foreman sparks him

 

Ali and Young are a million times more skilled than Corbett. Not to mention stronger too.
Foreman decapitates Corbett.

 

WTF man ?!? Do you honestly believe Corbett is gonna last more than 30 seconds ?!??

 

Foreman TKO 37

 

Yes, Jeffries wouldn't last as long as Corbett. Both are seeing the black lights in under three rounds.

 

If Foreman got tired from Ali's clinching, I have some doubts he'd do well in a time when refs hadn't learned the difference between boxing and wrestling. Johnson and Jeffries were both big enough to try it, unlike Corbett.

 

Jeffries would get pulverized trying to clinch Foreman. It would hasten his demise.

 

[Insert hyperbolic prediction of Foreman's doom here.]

 

More seriously, though:

You've no doubt seen Ketchel-Papke. That's the level of nonsense that Jeffries and Johnson not only got away with, but trained for. Foreman looked at sea when one of the Toronto 5 tackled him.

Foreman was very good at framing and muscling guys around in the 70s' much more restrictive clinch. I don't know whether that would translate to the permissive environment of the early 1900s. If it does, he wins. If not, who knows.