Has there ever been a more naturally strong fighter than George Foreman

I really doubt it, George Foreman had scary strength. If you look at his early fights he didn't display a tone of craft or technical boxing but he was still one of the most devastating fighters of all time because of his brute force no one else really comes to mind who was able to do that. Even as an old man hardly anyone seemed to be able to move him and all his punches seemed to land with a thud not just his power punches.

 

Yes, I do not think he did much or very scien-terific lifting in his 1st career, let alone the nutrition. Morrison was on 'roids, big & strong with a tremendous left, & OLD George just was more powerful! Foreman may have believed he was "poisoned for the Ali fight, at least he once said so, but he was not at his best. Still even avoiding the full brunt of most of his blows, Ali said he was twice out on his feet. Ali hanging on George & pulling him down was an illegal technique that with the loose rings & rope a dope sapped Foreman's strength.

Foreman is a force of nature.

 

Yeah, this workout really stressed his arms…

http://everybodyfights.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/GF3_pullingJeep-3.jpg

I don't think Foreman even did a lot weights. He was just a natural born bull. And in his second career, when he learned to pace himself, he hung tight for 12 rounds no problem. So stamina really wasn't a huge issue then.

 

Of course it(strength) matters,a real fight not a boxing match,would use wrestling as well as punches,you saw what being stronger meant in a wrestling match.once in a dominant position you can strike you foe or choke him out.boxing you can jab and run and be separated by a third man.not like real world scenario.

 

Marciano. too.

 

Willard said he started boxing because he didn't have much of an education but thought his size and strength could earn him a good living. He was a gentle and friendly person and didn't enjoy boxing or hurting people, so often waited until his opponent attacked him before punching back which made him feel at ease as if he was defending himself. He was often maligned as an uncoordinated oaf rather than a skilled boxer but his counterpunching style coupled with his enormous strength and stamina proved successful against top-fighters. Willard's strength was so great that he was reported to be able to kill a man with a single punch which unfortunately proved to be a fact during his fight with Jack "Bull" Young in 1913 who was punched in the head and killed in the 9th round. Jess Willard was charged with second degree murder but was successfully defended by lawyer Earl Rogers. I FEEL IF HE HAD A KILLER INSTINCT AND PROPER TECHNIQUE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEVASTATING PUNCHER.CARNERA ALSO.

 

That looks like Monk Foreman.

 

I can't think of anyone and he was in there with big men . George knocked out men with arm punches. Just a natural Sampson .

 

Marciano was very strong especially for his size but he built a lot of his strength through an incredible training regement. Marciano not only won his fights with brute force but he won it with heart and incredible conditioning. Foreman didn't have nearly the gastank Marciano did especially in his early career but his brute strength still made him almost unbeatable.

As for those that say that strength doesn't mean anything in boxing this is not true. A boxer needs to have the skills there is no doubt about that but being physically strong especially natural strength is a huge benefit. Look at Trevor Berbick sure he wasn't a great fighter by any means but he salvaged a very good career on limited skills but his strength made him a very tough opponent thats pretty how he beat Pinklon Thomas and gave Larry Holmes a tough fight. When you're very physically strong you can bully opponents you're punch might not be as fast or even as likely to knock someone out as a more skilled fighter but it'll still carry a lot of weight behind it and back opponents up. It is much easier to control the pace of a fight if you're the stronger fighter. Also strong fighters are often very durable and solid, it isn't easy to move them.Strength certainly isn't everything in boxing but it is a benefit.

 

Yeah, I couldn't find the picture of George doing this. Go to :50… or better yet watch the whole video…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8rkOCPjaeU

 

It's definitely not Big George.

Edit: Sorry Seamus, didn't see that you had replied already.

 

Tyson Fury can deadlift 250 KG's with his erection. Well, not with his erection, but while he's got one. That's got to count for something.

 

as far as RAW POWER he may have been, his early career he suffered from stamina issues and limited opposition so he wasn't really tested against punchers like Quarry, Bonavena,etc. or slick pin point puncher like Ellis but Foreman's power could not be denied.

An older & wiser Foreman learned some tricks from Archie and was able preserve his stamina and dictate the pace with his jab and cross-armed defense ....an older Foreman also threw some shorter inside punches and eliminated a lot of the wide wasteful swings

He showed heart vs Lyle and the ability to come back after losses to Ali + Young in his 2nd career.....Foreman was a great fighter & it takes a combination of both careers to say that but his power & strength was evident in both

 

Great thread and good posts as well ! I think back to how he manhandled Norton, who was big and jacked ! Not just the brutality of the knockout. But, how he muscled him around,easily... George was big, strong and a meant streak to go with it. Watch when they stopped the Norton fight, Foreman was up close to him wanting to drill him again !

 

Hey I gotta say that I really enjoy taking `shop` with many of you guys here... Everyone knows their stuff. And I always get reminded of something I may have foregotten. There are a couple of exceptions not worth mentioning... But great posts almost always !!