Was Foreman Let Down By His Corner In Zaire?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Dec 15, 2025.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Or was Ali's strategy always going to beat him?
     
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
    #1
  2. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Seems George wasn't let down by an incompetent corner but by a passive corner.
    Ali had a corner solving the fight whilst GF s had one watching a disaster happenen !
     
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
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  3. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Interesting ,in retrospect I'd say yes his corner let him down by not seeing what was happening right before there eyes.
     
    Reinhardt, Dec 15, 2025
    Reinhardt, Dec 15, 2025
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  4. nyterpfan

    nyterpfan Active Member Full Member

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    I'm not even sure Ali's corner knew what he was up to--it was the ultimate in ring genius! (EVERYBODY was caught off guard LOL!!)

    However, don't think big George didn't land any artillery in that fight! Ali took some HEAVY shots--but he was so damn tough and iron-willed that he was able to ride out those punches and proceeded to wear Foreman out physically AND mentally!

    It was the greatest display of improvisational tactics in a fight I've ever seen to this day!!
     
    nyterpfan, Dec 15, 2025
    nyterpfan, Dec 15, 2025
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  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Archie Moore saw what was happening, quite famously.

    The problem was, Foreman was getting exactly what he wanted. He'd been training for months to get Ali to do do exactly what he was doing in the ring, Foreman was training specifically to back him into the ropes and whale on his body. That was happening. Exactly what the Foreman camp wanted to happen was happening.

    What were they supposed to tell him to do? Tell him to abandon the part of the plan that was essentially the coup de grace, the part of the plan, that, should it transpire, would result in Foreman winning the boxing match? The part of the plan they were worried they wouldn't get to until too late in the fight if Ali surprised with his fitness?

    What the Foreman corner saw was Right Hand Leads ("You beautiful thief!") followed by the dream come true.
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2025
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2025
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  6. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Moore said he was not the head trainer ,so he could'nt alter George's strategy.
     
    mcvey, Dec 15, 2025
    mcvey, Dec 15, 2025
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Alter his strategy to what?
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2025
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2025
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  8. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ali's corner absolutely didn't know it was unfurling.
     
    ThatOne, Dec 15, 2025
    ThatOne, Dec 15, 2025
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  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    By the sixth round, and George is just pounding away at Ali.Nothings changing, Ali's not hurt and yet George is getting knackered.
    Someone in that corner must have been thinking ****!. This ain't working.
     
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
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  10. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah, but even so, what do you change your plan to? As well as punching himself out, Foreman was getting outhit. Ali was out-hitting him. You're the puncher, you have your war, the exact fight you dreamed of - what is the new Foreman plan to be?
     
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2025
    McGrain, Dec 15, 2025
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  11. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What should he have done, though? If he stood back Ali would just have peppered him with jabs and combos. He was not going to set traps for Ali. The one trap he had was to cut Ali off and force him to the ropes, but that one Ali willingly walked into.
     
    Bokaj, Dec 15, 2025
    Bokaj, Dec 15, 2025
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  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I know, it's hard to change mid fight, especially when the fighter s against a guy like Ali.
    But perhaps something like step off the ropes and make Ali lead.
    Don't chase him, take two step back after you punch.
    Foreman was better at counter punching not pursuing.
     
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
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  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Maybe tell him short punches, not swinging .
    If George could have started shortening his punches , compact hook's to his arms and body and short upper cut's inside.
    Maybe it was all too late by then but what's to lose?
     
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
    Fergy, Dec 15, 2025
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  14. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Foreman was not a counter puncher. Ali would just have landed more.
     
    Bokaj, Dec 15, 2025
    Bokaj, Dec 15, 2025
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  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Wide punches is something Foreman threw his whole career. He'd never correct that flaw. Certainly couldn't do it in the middle of a fight.

    Ali's jab and straight right made it very hard for him to get close enough to throw shorter punches also. He was straight up with an extended guard that Ali could punch through, didn't come from underneath like Frazier and Norton. He was easy for Ali to hit.
     
    Bokaj, Dec 15, 2025
    Bokaj, Dec 15, 2025
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