Foreman explains how he built up his endurance in his comeback

He was in good shape -- when did he gas? When did he have an issue fighting a hard 12 rounds? He was just fat, and given how damn slow even his hands were by that point, I don't think being fat mattered all that much -- I don't think he'd have been quick on his feet. Also, if anything, he was stronger with more muscle than when he was young, given that he'd taken up weight lifting. Moreover, given how capable he was with grappling, the extra mass was probably helping him sometimes, as he definitely knew how to use leverage, weight shifting, etc.

The better old guy to ask the "in shape" question about for this era would have been Larry Holmes. His hand speed hadn't deteriorated to the degree that Foreman's had. It's possible that if he'd trimmed back down to 215-220 instead of hovering around 235, he'd have been a bit quicker on his feet, a bit less likely to gas (and unlike Foreman, he definitely gassed in his senior career), and maybe have beaten Nielsen or McCall, either of which would have made him the oldest HW champ ever. I always found it a bit weird that a guy who would hang around that long trying to get his title back wouldn't cut 20lbs. After he lost to Holyfield mainly due to gassing out, and then literally threw up in-ring a few seconds after the final bell, shouldn't he have thought "ok, i need to lose this weight if I'm going to stick at this"? He was willing to risk his health, do all the sparring and training necessary to maintain his ability to fight, but he wasn't willing to go on a diet for a couple months? I guess the answer is something like he liked fighting but hated dieting, but still.

 

I disagree about Foreman & it is plain for all to see he wasn’t in shape. Being so extremely relaxed & limiting his output (as well as being extremely punch resistant) all kept him in the game, but there is no doubt had he been in great physical condition (replacing the beer gut with at least a faint outline of abs) everything would have improved - output, handspeed, balance, you name it.

However I do agree about Holmes. Even in his youth, he was still a very unimpressive looking pear-shaped melon head. Genetics were at play there, but yes, it is odd that a guy with all the time to spar & train couldn’t (wouldn’t) cut his weight down, especially after it told on him.

 

Well mate, I am 50 and 110kg (240lb) and run 5-8km 4 times a week at 6 minute/km pace.

We’re all different.

 

Impressive. Do you take any measures to deal/prevent knee pain issues?

 

The thing to note with Hopkins is that he regained form when he walked away from the constrictions of making 160 as he got older and older. It's akin to Foreman coming back older and fighting quite heavy. It was more beneficial than detrimental.

 

True yes, but Foreman plainly could have been in better shape, & been a better fighter for it. I’d be curious, given his results as they stand, to know how much better if in top shape relative to his age.

 

Look at the heavyweights thru history that fought into advanced age and you will see a pattern. After the Witherspoon scare Holmes started coming in at 220 and heavier (we can look past the 219 vs Frazier, close enough and 6 pounds up on where he had favored previous) rather than aim for his peak best weight of 212-213.

One can see the same intent in Joe Louis as he got older. During his peak he was an around 200 pound guy and then his weight eased out later. They reach the point of diminishing returns later on, negative to be precise.

 

Not to be contrary but i'm not completely convinced. I think there's a big chance he wanted that extra weight and force. He was never going to beat any high level fighters via workrate.

 

But Louis was still in perceptible good shape. He never exploded in weight & fought flabby like Foreman.

 

I think his heart just wasn’t in the work required to be in great shape. But we can’t know for sure unless he wants to tell us.

 

No, nothing but then I have been lucky to stay injury free. That said, I am now finding that I am having lower back issues that somewhat ironically loosen up after a run.

I am sure I could make things easier for myself by avoiding the chocolate and icecream aisles in the supermarket.