Foreman vs. Qawi-A Much Better Fight Than I Thought

I've known these two fought for years, but because Foreman was just a year on the comeback trail, Qawi was in decline and had an extra 30 lbs. as well I never looked into it seriously, even though there was always the underlying notion that I would someday watch it. Last night as I was getting ready to watch it, I was mostly expecting a drab, unmemorable fight btwn a ring rusty Foreman and an overweight Qawi. I was pleasantly surprised. I was already doubtful that Qawi could function with 30 unnecessary pounds, but the thought was quickly done away with when Qawi started the first round fast, bobbing and weaving his way in and landing one solid punch after another on Foreman. I think Qawi's maneuverability made it difficult for George to use the jab, and so he resorted to shoving, such was Qawi's success in this round. Qawi had an excellent round and Foreman only looked frustrated and confused. Foreman began the second throwing the jab, but pushing it more than anything. He also added some uppercuts, and about 2 mins. into the round Foreman had Qawi on the ropes in hurt. But then Qawi fought back with a powerful flurry of about 5 or 6 good punches. Foreman then comes back to punish Qawi in his own corner. The bout would appear to slow in the third, but would prove interesting. About 2 mins. into this round Foreman bulls Qawi into a corner and lands a huge haymaker to the kidney. Qawi collapses, holding his head? Qawi gets up, but does not receive a count. Foreman quickly pins him into the diagonal corner and continues his onslaught. Qawi responds with several good countershots and manages to get out of the corner. The fourth would prove to be the least interesting of the contest. In the fifth both land big shots on each other. The sixth may have been the climax of the fight. Qawi is trying to get in on Foreman who is landing a lot of jabs. At one point Foreman lands a couple, following by a snapping right uppercut. Qawi stops and is about to fall. He then straightens back up quickly and tags Foreman, who is turning away. To end the round Foreman lands a big left hook that sends Qawi into the ropes, which kept him from falling. The unsatisfactory ending came in the seventh when Qawi turns his back on Foreman and quits. Neither man looked great, and I was dissatisfied with the ending, but it was an entertaining fight while it lasted, not wanting for action.

 

Agreed. Foreman should have put his foot on the gas though. He didn't look at all like he was trying to win the fight. Honestly, it's a good thing that Qawi quit imo, because there was no way Foreman could have won a decision at that point imo, even though he did knock Qawi down. Actually, I can't imagine why Qawi would have quit when he was not taking too bad of a beating when he quit, the fight was almost over, and he was so clearly winning in my eyes anyway.

 

Are you kidding? He was barely throwing anything. He hurt Qawi a little at the end of the second, once in the third, and for the final time in the sixth. Foreman was only hurting Qawi on brief occasions.

 

I agree with almost all of what you said, but Qawi like Walcott?

 

What I find interesting about this fight is that Qawi was both at a disadvantage and an advantage by being heavier against Foreman.
disadvantage: Obviously, he was sacrificing speed and mobility by being way overweight, and was also in more danger of being hurt if he was floored with all that extra weight
advantage: By being heavier, Qawi was bringing himself up to and actually past Foreman's weight, and thus was bound to at least hold his own against Foreman, although he didn't actually ever stun George.

Surprisingly, Qawi did appear fairly fast and mobile despite being grossly overweight.

 

I completely agree. Foreman was never remotely hurt by Qawi, but he did seem bothered by Qawi imo.