Is Foreman Proof That Mental Toughness...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Aug 17, 2008.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    And willpower potentially have more to do with a great chin than perhaps anything else?

    Think about it.

    In his first career he was the ultimate bully. Ali exploited this, and in the ultimate example of a bully being broken down Ali stopped him.

    Light hitting Jimmy Young knocked him down.

    Ron Lyle had Foreman did.

    You wouldn't look at Foreman's first career and peg him as having a ATG chin. Not even close.

    BUT a decade off from the sport with a newfound cemented belief in God he comes back and takes some of the most unbelievable abuse a heavyweight's ever taken.

    He believed in himself, the facade was gone and he had something "empowering" like God anchoring him mentally.

    Look at the change.

    Thoughts?
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  2. lfsdan

    lfsdan Active Member Full Member

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    Well in his comeback he wasn't facing the monster punchers he was back in the 70's.
     
    lfsdan, Aug 17, 2008
    lfsdan, Aug 17, 2008
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  3. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    ....

    Are you serious?

    That's exactly what he was doing AND he was doing it at an advanced age.
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    I honestly think this is the reason Ali was so much more durable his second career as well. Mental strength and what not growing with time, just that mindset setting in. Arrogance growing, but not fully in a bad way, and so on.
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  5. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    His 70s knock downs were partially through been tired (espeically the Young KD) and having an open wide defense. The 90s George had a tighter defense and was better paced, plus he may have been stronger physically from weight lifting. Moorer, Schulz and Holyfield weren't massive punchers either
     
    PowerPuncher, Aug 17, 2008
    PowerPuncher, Aug 17, 2008
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  6. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Moorer was a very hard puncher. Stunned Holyfield badly, for starters.

    Are you forgetting Briggs, Morrison, Alex Stewart, Savarese, Coetzer, Rodrigues, Cooney, Cooper?

    Damned near everyone he fought during his comeback could whack.

    And the Holyfield that Foreman fought still combination punched. He rattled something like a 20 punch combination off of Foreman's dome.

    Years later he'd still drop Bowe and Mercer.
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  7. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Well yes fair play, I'd stick by the reasoning for why he was 'more durable' though. I reckon Lennox would have put George away none the less and George said Lenny was the best in the world around the Butler/Morrison fights I believe
     
    PowerPuncher, Aug 17, 2008
    PowerPuncher, Aug 17, 2008
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  8. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Foreman made that claim seconds after Lennox killed Ruddock from what I remember. Admitted he was afraid of him too.
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  9. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Still gutted we never got Lennox-Bowe - I think Lenny wins in devastating fashion, he loved a bigger slower target and Bowe's defense wasn't water tight by any means.
     
    PowerPuncher, Aug 17, 2008
    PowerPuncher, Aug 17, 2008
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  10. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yeah, I wouldn't be suprised if that fight didn't go more than 4 or 5 rounds if Lennox was in peak form.
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  11. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    Willpower plays an important role, but there's a certain point where the body says "Okay, i'll take over from here". I don't believe Frazier visiting the canvas 6 times against Foreman was a sign of lack of will power. Quite the opposite in fact.

    But Foreman thoroughly improved his defence, fighting stance, balance and pace during his comeback. He also bulked up quite a bit. Those factors lead to him being a much more durable.

    I still find it hard to believe he took those monster shots from Morrison, Holyfield and Briggs at age 40+, though. Truly one of a kind.
     
    ChrisPontius, Aug 17, 2008
    ChrisPontius, Aug 17, 2008
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  12. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    It was a good thing for George that a match with Lewis never happened. With all due respect to him and his excellent chin, he would have been demolished against LL.
     
    red cobra, Aug 17, 2008
    red cobra, Aug 17, 2008
    #12
  13. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Willpower isn't 100% of the equation, but I think it plays a very large role.

    The body also plays a role, and honestly, Frazier's never seemed to be too great at absorbing shots unless he was hell bent on killing Ali.
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
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  14. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What makes you think Ali was more durable during his second career? He just didn't have to prove his durability as much in his prime.

    When it comes to Foreman I think that his bulked up frame and his better balance and stance played a big part. The KD against Young was definitely more a question of balance than durability (I don't think he looked hurt really) and I would say that this was to a large degree true of his KO against Ali. And he hardly showed a lack of will against Lyle. Quite the opposite.
     
    Bokaj, Aug 17, 2008
    Bokaj, Aug 17, 2008
    #14
  15. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    You're aware of the fighters who had him off his feet during his first career, yes?

    You know that Cooper had him in more danger than maybe any fighter did during his second career?
     
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    Russell, Aug 17, 2008
    #15
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