If Foreman punched properly...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by VG_Addict, Oct 23, 2013.

  1. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What if Foreman didn't throw arm punches, but instead learned proper punching technique? What if he put his hips into his punches? Could he have killed a man with his punches?
     
  2. brnxhands

    brnxhands Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He could have killed somebody as he was, luckily he didnt. Who knows, if foreman shortnend his punches he may not have been foreman. His style caught people off guard
     
  3. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    that is why he tired so quickly. Swinging big, heavy arms is exhausting. You can turn your hips all day.
     
  4. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The trouble is that if he punched properly as in sat on his punches as you are suggesting, it would have compromised his already average handspeed. So while 1 punch could potentially put you out for a weekend, landing that punch would have been an uphill battle.
     
  5. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    That is absolutely not true. Turning on your punches, throwing them properly, enhances your hand speed. In no way does it detract from it. You can punch faster by throwing pitty pat punches- ala John David Jackson and Meldrick Taylor- but there is no way that swinging your arms like George did is faster than throwing punches like Joe Louis, and he punched with text book precision.
     
  6. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    He did turn his hips into the punches. He put his legs into 'em.
     
  7. Bollox

    Bollox Active Member Full Member

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    George's punching technique was perfect for George Foreman. Otherwise he would have been someone else and most likely a much lesser fighter
     
  8. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The question is how the hell couldn't he throw decent textbook punches haha, I'm no
    Cassius Clay but I can throw punches a lot more textbook than the ex heavyweight champion. Hell it's harder to throw them like George than properly haha
     
  9. HOUDINI

    HOUDINI Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You cannot generate that level of ko power without turning into punches. George ko blows were uppercuts and hooks but he could also destroy a fighter with straight punches. He landed some of his best shots against Ali as straight right hands.
     
  10. Ahurath

    Ahurath Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Well foreman punched proberly sinced he knocked out almost everyone he ever faced. His problem was to pace himself and pick his punches ( early in his career)
     
  11. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    George threw those short little uppercuts that were devastating, in boxing matches I don't think power is fully appreciated without a good sound recording. A good example of this is in the Cooney bout, just before he really hurts Gerry he throws some shots that don't look too powerful but boy they make a thud
     
  12. Bollox

    Bollox Active Member Full Member

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    I still cringe thinking about the Cooney KO. Like OUCH. Although George did say that one Cooney left hit him on the point of the elbow and it felt like his entire body had been electrocuted :bbb
     
  13. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Conditioning isn't really the question, but stopping almost every opponent he's faced has more to do with his punching power than employing "proper punching technique."

    Foreman obviously turned into his punches, any professional fighter knows the correct way to throw a punch. But the TS seems to alluding that his technique wasn't exactly textbook. My answer is George Foreman threw punches the best way George Foreman knew how to throw a punch. But if he were to "improve" his technique by throwing more textbook punches it would compromise his speed because his style didn't lend to that kind of delivery system.

    Joe Louis had naturally faster hands than Foreman so it didn't matter how George thew his punches.
     
  14. Foxy 01

    Foxy 01 Boxing Junkie banned

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    No he didn't.

    The TS stated that Foreman just threw " arm " punches, and didn't turn his hips. That is palpably wrong.
     
  15. Urone2

    Urone2 Active Member Full Member

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    I thought Foreman had good technique for a pure power puncher. Foreman seemed to punch driving more through his legs than his hips. One of the upper cuts the his missed Cooney with had him turned side ways. That was no arm punch to turn a big man like that. I would have to rewatch some of his fights to be sure but I think he was able to get his total body weight into his punches using his legs.