Foreman in the 90's

Well there was talk after Foreman got the title of fighting Mike Tyson, Arum was putting together a big money package of over 50 million for the fight and King approached Tyson who said no. Foreman couldn't have beaten Lewis at that stage of his career, he could have beaten the post Golata Riddick Bowe

 

Foreman and Holmes talked about a possible meeting in the late 90s but it never came through. Douglas’ comeback campaign pretty much got derailed after losing to Savarese. I firmly believe that George was ready to retire after the Briggs fight regardless of the outcome. Most people felt he won that fight anyway.

 

I had Foreman ahead four points.

A Holmes-Foreman fight might have made George look bad. Though I love both fighters pretty equally, I think that might have been the deciding factor. George put on perhaps his greatest jabbing performance in his career against Briggs, and most people felt he won that fight. Better that than get jabbed silly and probably made to look bad in general against Larry.

Of course, George had more than a puncher's chance against Larry. Larry's Achilles' Heel...let's just say Big George wasn't too far away from Shavers-level on the right hand, and BG knew how to finish somebody a HELL of a lot better than Earnie...

 

I think both Holmes and Foreman had lost a lot of their chief assets by the late 90s. Foreman wasn’t knocking dudes out anymore and Holmes footwork and workrate had declined. Neither man could keep his weight down and both were nearly 50 years of age.. even if they had fought, the outcome wouldn’t have meant squat in my eyes.

 

I also felt George won but I believe he would have continued to fight just to cash in some more. He could've gotten to Douglas before Savarese did.

 

was that fight ever discussed and was their any interest ? I don’t remember

 

No, he fought Willam Perry.

 

Tyson never said no to fighting Foreman. He even stated he should fight Foreman before rigor mortis sets in as I'm sure they would've fought if Tyson never went to prison. As far as I'm concerned, King wanted Mike to get a title back to gain the upper hand in negotiations.

Foreman would've fought anyone who had the title. If Bowe, Lewis, Ruddock, Mercer or anyone else had the belts, I'm fairly sure Foreman would've fought them. Fairly sure...

 

Foreman didnt want to fight Lewis. He knew the style there coupled with Lennox size and power were a bad formula. He might have fought Bowe but it would have to be an outrageous offer.

Beyond that Foreman was focused on who had the title. Tyson lost it he redirected to the new champ. He knew his limits.

 

Of course... And?

 

Yes he was a man in his 40s and previously was retired for 10 years. Nobody in history would replicate (or close)what Foreman did. NOBODY

 

Can you imagine the reverse? Lewis,bowe, holyfield or Tyson in their 40s against a prime Foreman? Lol. However Foreman always would be competitive does not matter the age because George was greater than them,simple like that

 

I'm completely with you as far as Bowe, Holyfield, Lewis and Tyson being not-as-good head to head with George. But as far as ATG...I agree, Iron Mike wasn't as great, and certainly Bowe was way off. But Holy is trickier (I'm undecided in regard to Lewis).

Holy had one of the greatest Warrior Hearts in the history of boxing and he won the title...was it four or five times? He even had success when he was past his prime (hard to dispute his knocking the crap out of Tyson, for just one out of many instances).

I happen to far prefer George as a fighter (George, Ali, and Larry are probably my favorites). But Holy was at least right around George's greatness imo. He was a great, great fighter.

 

Douglas was one of opponents considered for Foreman in 97 but Foreman chose Briggs instead. I figured Foreman would have fought him in 98 if he beat Briggs.

 

if the money were right and the demand was there then possibly. But I really think Foreman had been considering retirement for a while. He was only fighting on average once per year since beating Moorer in 94 and mostly taking on hand picked guys