George Foreman vs. Vitali Klitschko

I would pick Foreman only under the pretense, that he is far more proven against world class opposition. Of course, I acknowledge that Klitscko has the size, power, chin and jab to give George problems, perhaps even beat him, but Vitali's abilities and stats were never compiled or tested against anyone better than perhaps Corrie Sanders. His chin would definately be put to the test here, as his ability to deal with pressure from what is arguably a better puncher than any he's ever faced.

 

This is my take.

 

Foreman was out boxed by the two best boxer he faced in Young and Ali, nearly KO'd by Lyle, and feasted on smaller less durable heavyweights in general. Foreman is a bit over rated.


If you objectively break it down, Vitlai has the better skills on offense and defense, better speed, better height /weight / reach, better stamina, better ring smarts, a slightly better chin and you name it. Foreman hit harder, and aside from being famous, I can’t think of another edge Foreman would have. Foreman would need to win this one inside 5 rounds, or he’s toast.

Vitlai would out box Foreman, and certainly hits hard enough to take him out. I'll go with him.

 

I agree with all your points, but again as I originally stated, I would pick Foreman, only because his abilities were tested against better men. Saying that he was beaten by Ali, Young, and dropped by Lyle, doesn't erase the fact that Kilitschko was beaten by a 38 year old Lewis who hadn't fought in a year, and was rocked heavily by a 38 year old Sanders who hadn't fought in 13 months. Neither of these men at these perspective points in their career had the ability ro reak havock on Klitschko the way that Foreman could. Additionally, as I've already pointed out, and you have as well, Vitali showed that he had great power, skill and durability, but who did he DEMONSTRATE THIS ON?? Herbie Hide, Larry Donald, Corrie Sanders, Danny Williams, Ross Purity, Timo Hoffman, etc. Were not great fighters.

 

The 120 decibel level established by OSHA for eardrum damage, would be measured as Klitschko hit the canvas.

 

Vitali stopped harder to TKO/KO fighters. Stopping Purity, Donald, and Bean is not easy. Juding on how much trouble Foreman had with good boxers, a fighter like Donald could give him a world of trouble. I also think Vitlai faced better punchers than Foreman did in the 1970's. Lewis, Sanders, Williams, and Hide hit harder than Frazier, Norton, Ali and Lyle.

Watch Foreman with fresh eyes, and you'll see he's a big puncher, but also over rated skill wise, and a tad sloppy.

 

Agreed, and I never said they weren't durable, but how good of fighters were they, outside of just being hard to KO? Donald for example, was 35 years old, and hadn't beaten a decent fighter since he decisioned a washed up Witherspoon nearly 5 years earlier. There is a big difference between knocking out a fighter who is just hard to KO, and knocking out a durable fighter who can also fight back.

Are we really going to compare a 2002 version of Larry Donald to a 1974 version of Muhammad Ali??
Anyway my answer to your claim is, possibly, but that doesn't mean that just because Donald had the right style to trouble Foreman that Vitali did. Klitscko was a large slow moving target, much like Foreman himself. He wasn't terribly quick or elusive, like say Jimmy Young. Apples to oranges if you will.

This is highly speculative, and at least Foreman fought that second list of men at or near their best, whereas this was hardly the case with Vitali's list. Not to mention, Klitschko didn't exactly survive Lewis, as Lennox gave him one of the nastiest gashes I've ever seen. Again, Apples to oranges.

I've watched Foreman enough times to know what his strengths and weaknesses were, and despite them, he managed to usually get the job done against some of the better fighters he faced.

 

im going for foreman on resume

 

Today I would pick Vitali Klitschko, by late round endurance. I think that Vitali's chin would carry him through until the later rounds and I think, stamina wise, he does edge out Big George. (this is 70's George). Two big punchers of course, but barring an injury or a cut (at least a fair chance for that) Vitali does have enough and would be the stronger fighter in the later rounds.

 

Vitali's the sole person to stop Puritty, I believe.

We're talking about someone who took absolutely everything Tommy Morrison and Wladimir could throw at him.

Vitali can ****ing whack, if nothing else.

 

I agree

Ross Purity was definately on the high end of the spectrum as journeyman go. Although he had some 20 losses, they are mostly decisions to undefeated prospects, rated contenders, or big punchers. Additionaly, he had a good punch of his own, and managed to KO most of his opponents, some of them were good fighters. Vitali, can definately punch. No question about that one. I would definately pick him to trouble or even beat certain all time greats. When comparing champions accross eras though, with little else to go by other than records and comp lists, I have to stick with Foreman head to head. No, there is no guarantee, that George would beat Vitali, but when I weigh out the plusses and minuses, he seems to come out on top.

Theoretically of course....

 

Dr. Z

Donald, Purrity, Bean were C level fighters at best. Foreman faced much better fighters than vitali faced....period.

 

I like Foreman here.

 

Vitali on points. I can see VK picking away with the jab, adding up the rounds and getting a decision. he is better over 12 rounds, throws straight punches and wont get too involved I dont think, not against a guy like Foreman.

foreman probably hits harder but i cant see that being the deciding factor, in this fight and Klit is very carefull when he choose and does have a solid chin.

in a H2H argument you pick a fighter soley on resume, styles make fights.