Is Foreman Proof That Mental Toughness...

That was before he was fully matured. And he recuperated extremely fast against Banks (wasn't really hurt) and dispatched of him shortly afterwards. Against Cooper he also came back very strong after getting his bearings back, so I don't think he showed a lack of will power. Rather he wasn't yet fullt matured and caught by surprise. And don't forget that that was one hell of a left hook.

He took some really hard shots against Liston without showing any signs of being hurt, and he took quite a lot of good shots from Chuvalo (especially to the body) without really seeming bothered.

I think his will power was plenty on display already against Banks, Jones, Cooper and Liston. It was always there, he just needed it more later on.

 

Maybe, although the fact that Ali wasn't a big hitter probably had something to do with that too.

 

He also made the claim that Lennox Lewis was the greatest Heavyweight of all time based on a win over ancient Tyson.

The only reason I make mention of this is because it would indicate that Foreman would say anything for attention.

Unless he truely thought Lennox was the greatest, in which case he isn't just an attention seeker, he's just nuts.

Still, being knocked down by a man of Lyle's power is no disgrace, whereas he was clearly tired against Muhammad Ali and Jimmy young.

George never had a bad chin, or an all-time great chin. Holyfield wasn't a huge puncher, Cooney was a shot item, Morrison wasn't very offensive.

 

Can you remember any flush right hands Foreman was hit with in that fight that made you wince? If so, remind us all.

 

You're aware that George Foreman's quotes are almost completely unreliable. The man sometimes sounds like a crazy person, even though he is an-all time great Heavyweight Boxer, and I have a great deal of respect for him in the ring. However, what he says sometimes in the media is ridiclious.

I'm asking you, can you remember Cooney landing anything with his right hand on Foreman that you felt was flush and solid?

 

I think Cooney did land one good left hook that Foreman took well!

 

In Georges Autoboigraphy he says Cooney hit him with the hardest lefthook he's ever been hit with and that he was practically out on his feet. had Cooney followed it up he would have been out but Foreman say he bluffed his way out of it and the bell rang. He says it was the hardest single punch he was ever hit with in his entire career.

 

Whereas, in all probability, Ron Lyle hit him harder than anybody ever hit him in his entire career.

 

Foreman could take a good punch, but there a lot to takinh a good punch. Stamina, and will power count too, and Foreman was a little weak on both stamina and will power in his frist career.

 

The left hook in question landed towards the end of the first round. The punch was not a very big punch at all - or at least it seemed that way - but apparently it landed just right to shake George a bit. But from my perspective, I don't recall seeing George hurt at all against Cooney. Foreman took much bigger punches from Tommy Morrison.

I give Foreman credit where credit is due. I think most of his comeback was a huge con job, but the man was TOUGH!

 

Foreman did not face guys with great credentials as punchers like Lewis and Tyson in the 90s. His durability would have been better proven if he had been able to withstand the shots of big hitters.

 

Don't forget Foreman took some mighty left hooks in both his short fights vs Frazier first career and hardly blinked. Frazier could whack too.