Could Jack Johnson have tricked/survived Foreman Zaire?

imo. Prime Johnson would not be laying on the ropes,any more than a prime Ali would have.

 

Zaire Foreman? No. That pressure against the ropes would have made Jack succumb.

But the Foreman who lost to Young absolutely would lose to Johnson.

 

Not only could he, he would do so.

 

Laying on the ropes was a tactical adjustment that was forced on Ali...He tried to move. Foreman was very adept at cutting off the ring...For every 3-4 steps Ali was making Foreman was making 1 step...and carrying him too fast. It wasn't a question of lack of mobility even though Ali wasn't prime. imo.

 

I hear what you are saying but this is only relevant to that time. The pace of boxing back then was much slower to modern boxing and the boxing skills, from what I have seen on the videos that I have seen, defence meant something different back then owing to the generally poor level of skills of the boxers. Foreman would begin to wade into Johnson and regardless of whatever defence Johnson had Foreman would pin him against the ropes or the corner and simply walk through him. Please show me one fighter back then that could compare to a George Foreman. Johnson is a legend for a reason - there is no disputing that but to think that he could compete in the modern era is something else. Is there a video of Johnson that I could watch that shows me this great defence of his and how it would still work in the faster paced world of modern boxing?

 

First the idea that somehow Johnson was a lower skilled fighter than today's hwts is just plain stupid. Today's hwts do not have one tenth of his boxing ability.

Prime Foreman fought two top boxers during his career...Ali and Young. He lost to both one by ko and the other by Unanimous decision. Johnson was FARRRRR superior to Jimmy Young and PRIME Johnson was a greater defensive fighter than the Ali Foreman faced in 74.

If you do not understand great classic boxing, the art of slipping, parrying, blocking, feinting, infighting watching any bout won't help you.

 

Anything is pretty much possible in the ring, but going on what I feel the probabilities are here, other than Ali, I don't see anyone being favourite over Foreman of Zaire.

 

On what evidence do you have that Johnson was so vastly skilled? From the video footage I have seen of Johnson I think Young would have beaten him without much trouble. I understand the art of boxing thank you very much - I have been following this sport for over 30 years. However I am not trying to disagree with you for the sake of trolling or winding you up - I just have a suspicion that boxers from the late 19th - early 20th centuries are eulogized and moulded into untouchable myths. They were great for their time and all modern boxers stand on their shoulders - so to speak. They paved the way! However to even think that Johnson could compete with a Foreman or even a Marvis Frazier (yes I said Marvis) is shocking!

 

This is only a question because Johnson's name isn't quite as optimal as it could be. The Galveston Giant is good and all, but having a moniker like Old Chocolate Johnson or Young Tarred Fitzsimmons would give me enough confidence to pick him comfortably.

I'd also recommend lowering available film quality by 35% and destroying half of what's left entirely. The grainier the remaining footage, the better. Make it look like clay Legos are fighting in stop-motion.

 

A ssinine claptrap.

 

And your the same guy who stated over and over that Dempseys last three body blows hit Sharkey in the balls and that Dempsey could not slip a jab.

 

I'm aware of the reason Ali elected to go to the ropes,and of Foreman's ability to cut off the ring.

Ali gambled that he could withstand George's onslaught and that George would empty his tank.
Johnson would not be laying on the ropes because he was excellent at tying up men and neutralising their attacks.
He would not be absorbing big shots he would be blocking a lot of incoming and he was an excellent in -fighter which Ali was not. George leaning in throwing roundhouse shots from both hands scorning defence ,would see him taking ripping uppercuts and as he was coming in their effect would be enhanced, similar to the Young shot that dropped him.

 

Johnson struggled vs super middles, and journeyman when he was a champion. But we know that. We are talking about Foreman here.

Ali took one heck of a punch, to the head or body, Johnson did not. Ali also hit harder. Two key factors for Ali.

So if you think Johnson could take Foreman's punches, and wear him down by doing it, then hurt him later, go ahead and pick him!

 

Oh sure, Johnson would try to infight Foreman, who himself had one heck on an uppercut. See what happened to Frazier.

The end of 2016 would be a fine time to cash the rest of you chips. Please rid this board of your stupidity.