If big George had lost the fight to Young, maybe take just a couple of years out then returned, what s his chances of success? Surely a still young Foreman has the world at his feet in the early 80 s?. Of course there's the matter of a guy called Holmes stood in his way. So let's say he comes back in early 1980. He's now slightly heavier but his style is more relaxed and unhurried similar to his actual comeback. He takes a few fights, first is former champion Leon spinks. He destroys him in 3. Then Envangelista is stopped in 5. Ocasio goes 10 rounds but loses a unanimous. A fight with Holmes is planned for 82 but instead Larry signs for contender Cooney. So foreman instead signs for Mike Weaver. With a agreement that if both win there fights then foreman and Holmes meet in 1983. We know Holmes beat Cooney, but what about George? First weaver then unification with Holmes? How's it playing out?
His confidence was blasted, and that's never a recipe for success. I think he would have shipped another loss at some point then likely retired. He made the right decision taking time off to get his head right.
10 years is a bit more than taking time off. I don't think he really had any intention of coming back especially if you consider how much weight he had put on during the ten years he was retired but he probably initially did it strictly for financial reasons rather than wanting to regain the title or because he missed the sport.
He was 'brain-dead' after Young...and before of course. IMO he was right to go on hiatus. Found his spiritual side in a good way, and returned pretty much free of ring abuse which, in large part, made him still viable despite the layoff. Sidebar: tho I don't like fighters continuing fighting when they should have retired much earlier. To answer the question, no I don't think a comeback two years later would have accomplished anything or cemented his legacy. He needed more years to sort out his demons IMO. Lastly, I've always said that I've never seen an athlete, or anyone in any other profession who I hated so much in his prime and grew to adore the guy years later. The elder George could make fun of himself, branched out into other areas (the Grill) and was quite the 'quipper'. On Johnny Carson in the 90's; Johnny: "so you're fighting (so and so) next week?" George: "yes". Johnny: "now is he any good?" George: "Oh, I hope not"
shouldnt be in the sport if his mind wasnt in it, thats just asking for injury, and then he might never be coming back at all. the gap years were worth it.