Instead of Holmes beating Norton and becoming champ, Foreman beats Norton and becomes champ and then takes on the following (versions Holmes fought): Alfredo Evangelista Ossie Ocasio Mike Weaver Earnie Shavers Lorenzo Zanon Leroy Jones Scott Ledoux Muhammad Ali Trevor Berbick Leon Spinks Renaldo Snipes Gerry Cooney Randall Cobb Lucien Rodriguez Tim Witherspoon Scott Frank Marvis Frazier James Smith David Bey Carl Williams Michael Spinks Would George Foreman go undefeated? Or would he drop one? And to whom? And I know he fought some on this list, but I'm putting them in the order that Holmes fought them.
Wasn't there a similar thread a few weeks back? I think Witherspoon, Williams, Spinks beat him. Foreman wasn't really known for his longevity. I see him slowing down after Ali fight and he'll be more beatable by the time he reaches Witherspoon. If it was just head to head, I'd still give Witherspoon, Williams, Spinks a shot but Foreman would be the favourite. Doing this in order, longevity plays a major role and Foreman couldn't match Holmes in that department. Holmes fought and beat ranked contenders for a decade. Foreman never did that.
Barely a week ago. Too busy starting threads to read anyone else's. https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/pre-zaire-foreman-vs-holmes-title-challengers.629652/
If they were individual fights he could beat most of them, but Foreman was not as consistent as Holmes or as versatile. Getting up for the fights and remaining consistent and modifying his style would be a problem for George. So he would have lost a few times in that list probably to maybe Shavers, Cooney, Bonecrusher, Witherspoon.. Holmes didn't have the power to anniliate guys but he could adjust better than George which is how champions have a lot of defenses. How many defenses did George have? A guy with 5 or 6 defenses in his career is pretty good. Cooney in 1982? I think that could give George a fight but George would probably win in 5 rounds. Witherspoon? When Holmes fought him? He could trouble George and maybe edge the fight. I loved his looping right hand. I just think George would be get bored and lose concentration. Bonecrusher vs. George? interesting fight. Weaver? George would knock out. Shavers vs. George? I think George destroys Earnie. That is the a fight George looks good in. I think Larry was more consistent than George and a greater fighter. Even Berbick was a decent fighter.
All of Larry's opposition would be completely overwhelmed against a young Foreman who was contstantly in an inpatient seek and destroy mentality. Had he kept his head against Ali not been dehydrated and simply pulled a Joe Fraizer and muscled Ali off the ropes we would have a fighter who not only never lost his confidence but never would, Had Ali gave him the rematch he'd have lost the rumble took so much out of the great man and we'd have the old George and not a single person till Holmes would have remotely troubled him Young and Lyle had a chance because George was out of shape or was terrified of throwing too many punches because of his gas tank imagine Foremans record had he stayed in shape into his forties under Archie.