Foreman does not retire in 1977.

well George was signed to DKP. So it would have been Don's fighters or an independant like Norton or a Young he could sign for 1 bout.

Arum would not have put Ali in with him. He never did for a rematch as it was. Hell, he would not sign up Norton or Young for the
Ali rematches for those controversies. Geez, even the Shavers bout demanded a rematch.

So I think Geroge blows out shavers. King would sign up Lyle for a rematch and stay busy fight, but he was ruined and damaged goods. So now late 78 or 79. Probably a Bobick for a soft defense that could sell. Then a Knoetze fight in south Africa. so now we are 1980.

And King takes Holmes for a run at the WBA belt and steers away from George. But controls the 2 belts.

Next thing is Howard smith signs George and successfully takes on King and Arum as the premier promoter in the sport. Signs a mega bout with Cooney. Maybe a softie defense against Leon Spinks. then, Eddie Muhammad takes a payday to move up--and train even less--for a Foreman payday. Next is a Weaver or Tate match with both having recent losses.

next might be a retirement by George in like 1982. Never a Holmes fight because King will never want Smith to be the main promoter. The guy on the outs is Arum. He'd try hard to push Coetzee.

 

fair enough

 

With all due respect, you did bring up a valid point. I do not know how long you have followed boxing, but thinking back on it, I have followed the game since 1965, You are right. Ali was given gift decisions against Jimmy Young and Ken Norton in 1976, did look decent against Shavers in 1977, but he had slipped terribly as a fighter. If I have offended, I apologize. You are a good poster.

 

Being that people are probably already tired of me saying my favorite fighter is Larry, I will surprise no one in bringing up the elephant in the room: if Jimmy Young knocked down and beat George, Holmes would have stopped him in '78. George would have been ruined in 11, as Larry had just the right kind of stinging right hand that would have caught him over and over. The cumulative effect would have knocked him down in the last rounds, and he would have kept getting hit with it until he was a bloody hulk, staggering around like a drunk Jethro Bodean, eyes rolling up each time the right lands.

Just my opinion.

 

Agreed mate.

 

You know that Jethro in real life is related to Buddy Baer, Buddy was his uncle.