Great Fighters and the Men they Avoided...

Not sure why it never came off but based on news stories I've read, Quarry's people tried very hard to make a fight with Foreman throughout 1973 and early 1974, to no avail.

I also saw an article from 1970, explaining that Brenner was trying to make a fight between Quarry and Foreman for October of that year (Quarry fought Ali instead).

 

He fought Cooney for bigger money and as an underdog, didn't he?

 

GGG is avoiding Jermall Charlo and Andrade. He isn't great at this point though.

 

Toney called out everybody but look at who he actually fought as a Cruiserweight and Heavyweight. He did not fight movers. He clearly preferred guys that stood in front of him. He was a mandatory challenger for Gomez at Cruiserweight and declined the title shot. He knew that Jirov would be a much easier fight for him that an outside fighter like Gomez.

 

Robinson seems to have avoided some black fighters

 

Ali ducked Foreman rematch.

Foreman ducked Holmes.

Bowe ducked Lewis.

Leonard ducked Hagler and Hearns rematches.

 

Inj his later years in the 90's Corrie Sanders, Chris Byrd, Michael Moorer

 

Yes, and as we both know George can be very inconsistent and...well, weird.

Pretty sure Foreman would have mowed over Quarry in a few rounds.

 

Foreman wanted Larry in the late 70s as a tune up for Ali and as Old men it was very close to happening.

 

It was actually in 1976 before George lost to Jimmy Young, they wanted Holmes. Holmes and Ritchie Giachetti turned the fight down because Larry was still a bit green at the time and also there wasn't enough money on the table.

 

Rather than say 'duck' I will say it could have been a cautious manager or promoter who didn't want to kill off his meal ticket, who nixed the fight. Nevertheless, here are a few:

John L. Sullivan v Peter Jackson
Jack Dempsey v Harry Wills
Gene Tunney v Jack Sharkey
Jim Braddock v Max Schmeling
Joe Louis v Lem Franklin
Joe Louis v Elmer Ray
Rocky Marciano v Nino Valdes
Rocky Marciano v Bob Baker
Floyd Patterson v Nino Valdes
Floyd Patterson v Eddie Machen
Floyd Patterson v Zora Folley
Floyd Patterson v Cleveland Williams
George Foreman v Jerry Quarry
Riddick Bowe v Lennox Lewis

 

Not sure about Larry's chances at that stage. He has stated he was outjabbing Ali in sparring, but I kind of doubt he was at Jimmy Young level that early on.

1980 Holmes stops even absolute prime George in 9 rounds max imo. Make him drunk and mug him.

 

Did he turn down offers to face any of those guys?

If not, maybe they were ducking Holmes. Why make it on him to be the one avoiding it if no one ever proposed the fight and tried to make it?

 

I believe Bowe's ducking of Lewis is the gold standard of ducks.