Foreman’s power - First And Second Career?

I think Foreman retained a whole lot of his natural abilities and was able to redevelop what he had lost but made some obvious concessions now that he had aged. I'd argue his hand speed wasn't consistent- although it was still almost equal in his first and second careers. The **** missile that is Foreman's overhand right is fired from orbit (above his own head) into Qawi's kidney at a speed that is comical. I thought Qawi would die when I first saw that.

Foreman's patience and desire to remain ergonomic in his expenditure of stamina allowed him to retain both speed and power throughout much of a fight. His cross-guard did loads to help this, he was in much better position for countering and could deflect and redirect punches with less energy on his part. I think when @dmt said that old Foreman was far better balanced is a great observation. Older Foreman was much less liable to be in undesirable positioning during a fight, his ring craft was exceptional and he had picked up some seriously deft footwork that can be missed if we don't pay close attention to it.

 

He supposedly dried out before fights to make his muscles stand out more!?!?!?
He made Ken Norton look like a ripped up light heavy.

 

What a beast. Theres some fight I cannot remember which where Foreman puts his mouth guard in and it's a close up shot and for a moment he looks like of goofy, like he looks harmless. Biting up and down on the guard, and then it pans out and he's like a head taller and 20 pounds heavier than the poor SOB he's about to fight. Weird how the guy who sold grills could be so scary.

 

Ken Norton said something like " I was backing up and then going to load up" and then he actually began laughing recalling and remembering what happened next I think it was either in the Champions Forever documentary or part of a promotional interview.

 

This the older Foreman would pace himself, plus because his punches were also slower. Opponents weren't getting hit as much overall, I mean could you see the likes Briggs, Stewart, Savarese, Grimsley, going the distance with a 70s Foreman ?

 

Boy, you're kind to Grimsley Fergy lol. I agree on all, though I don't think Grimsley would make it that long.

 

Agreed. While Foreman still hit like a truck in old age, he seemed to have problems finishing guys off when they were hurt. No way would Alex Stewart have survived a 1973 foreman after being decked twice like he was in 1992

 

100%

 

Yeah Grimsley was the fellow who is known to get splattered from the first punch by Jimmy Thunder in like 10 seconds, Schultz is the German boxer who outboxed Big George but lost a controversial decision. I think Schultz could go a few rounds vs a prime Foreman before getting stopped, but i'd struggle to see Grimsley making it out of the 2nd round.

 

Some guys are big in terms of their volume, they are simply tall and heavy. Even some smaller guys can push them around. Other guys are DENSE. It could be a dense bone structure and thicker musculature/overall frame. That's why one guy could be 220 and another guy 240 and the 220 guy hits harder, is rougher and tougher, harder to push around, punches harder, etc.

You want dense guys for security jobs, holding the line in football, guarding the rim in basketball, etc. Foreman would have been great at those jobs, but he used his unusual and imposing physique to bulldoze guys. In addition to being dense, Foreman carries himself like a big guy. He thought big and had the mentality of a big dominant creature in an ecosystem that doesn't get out the way of anyone. He had the same attitude when he threw punches and crucially, had confidence in his power not worrying if he could hurt his opponents, but when. This could be the secret ingredient to his brutal power.

As for young vs old, I think old George hit slightly less harder due to lower hand speed and murderous aggression, but had better form and timing.