Sorry if this has been discussed before, no doubt it has but why did Larry and George not fight in the early to mid 1990's when they both had good 2nd careers in boxing. They both fought Holyfield who was the champ at the time and Tyson was away in jail. It would have seemed to be an obvious money making fight with two all time great heavy's finally fighting although they were past their best. So why did these two not fight. Was it due to money matters or ego maybe ? and who would have won in your opinion if they had fought around 1992.
I think both of them were willing to get it on. Each one thought they were entitled to the bigger share of the moneycake,which stopped it happening. 50/50 fight. Slight advantage to Foreman,at this point.
I think you hit it right on the head, both with the reasons why the fight never materialized as well as who should be favored. In the early 90's I probably would have given Foreman the edge over Holmes, but make no mistake, Larry could still box and keep up a pretty good workrate over 10-12 rounds. A decision for Holmes would not be out of the question, but George still would have had my vote... Had the met in the 70's or anytime when both were prime, Larry takes this one.
I agree with you,Magoo about Holmes winning in 70's. back then Holmes' speed and movement would have contributed to the fight's pattern.
I do not think Foreman really wanted it. Stylewise, it would be bad matchup for him, as he would've kept losing round after round, and even if he connected ocassionally Holmes with his chin would've survived it anyway. Unlike magoo, I would go with Foreman in 70's and Holmes in 90's.
Agree. I think Holmes presents a bad matchup for Big George and the fight probably follows the same path as what happened in the Michael Moorer fight. The difference with Holmes is that he wouldn't get cocky and carless like Moorer, standing right in front of George with his hands down by his waist. Holmes beats Foreman in a closer contest if the fight happened around 78/79 with George staying on the boxing scene. Foreman was still one of the heavyweights at that time but I think Larry would out-box him, eager to get out of Ali's shadow. In the 90's, Larry still dominates the majority of the rounds but is at a much greater risk to get caught by one of big George's power shots. The 1976 version of Foreman that fought one of his smartest fights KOing Frazier the second time, paced and more relaxed, could give Holmes a bit more of a challenge and likely hurts him in the early rounds. Holmes would out-class the wild, winging, young George Foreman of the early 1970's. Besides Holmes, Shavers apparently wanted a shot at Foreman, promoting a battle of the ages fight that never happened.
Foreman in his comeback was an excelent matchmaker for himself. the confidence in his ability was strictly realistic. george knew exactly what he was doing, changed his image and totaly knew his worth. he was such a hot ticket seller that even without a title he could piick any fight he wanted. if a fight did not happen it was because george did not want it make no mistake. He was the draw. The art of matchmaking is making sure your kid has the advantage, george knew this. He had faith in his size, punch, ability and experience so he liked oppenets with less size, less punch, ability and experience. he was old, he knew he had to be selective. Holmes almost or did match him on a lot of those things and apart from money there wasnt enough for george to gain against larry to be worth taking the risk. He was doing fine without him. george openly admited he did not want lenox lewis and holmes admitted he did not want ruddock so they both knew what they were doing. Holmes did call george out though. personaly I dont think foremans second carerer enhances his standing as an ATG. Dont get me wrong, I always rooted for george but hes in my top ten purly on what he did in the 1970s. until his second career most historians were undecided on his worth.
Its pretty simple. Old George showed a real and glaring flaw against a fighter with the style of Holmes. He just didnt have the speed of foot to catch up with a boxer that moved and operated at distance in his comeback.
I like George on a personal level a whole lot more than Larry. But to me, George didn't want this fight, Holmes did. Because they both knew Holmes would've almost certainly won it and George couldn't afford to lose to another older fighter. He could lose to a Holyfield or a Moorer and still be marketable. Not a Holmes.
