WAS George Foreman Greater than Larry Holmes?

Holmes had the greater career, beat far more quality fighters.
Foreman in contrast has the greater single wins.

It's a close call and I can see an argument either way. Shame they never settled it in the ring as young or older men. I have feeling Holmes would have beat him in the 70s or 90s.

 

Can't see that.

Not even in a dream.

 

Pre-zaire Foreman would run Larry over. Favor Holmes over any other version.

 

NO

 

Without a doubt.

Foreman came back and became the oldest man to ever take the title. That in itself is legendary. He not only did that, he was absolutely feared by everyone he faced for legitimate reasons. The man may have been the hardest puncher in heavyweight history. Boxers from both eras he competed in said he was the strongest and best puncher they ever faced.

He did something no one else has done, he is renowned for his power. These things will always overshadow Holmes. As time goes on people will remember George Foreman. Holmes will drift off in peoples mind and be forgotten.

The reason is because Foreman is a Legend. Not just a boxer.

 

Holmes is greater than Foreman. Depends on your criteria but 20 defenses and 7 years on top and being one win shy of tying Marciano is far more telling than Foreman's 3 great wins over Frazier, Norton(?) and Moorer.

If the subject is: Who's more popular? - then I'd pick Foreman. Holmes was champ for 7 friggin years. We're talking whole careers, Holmes takes the cake. Foreman doesn't have that many Top 10 rated guys on his resume. I believe he went 7-5 against rated opposition. Holmes has some easy defenses on his resume but he stepped up and beat those put in front of him...for 7 years.


Louis
Ali
Holmes
Johnson
Marciano
Tyson
Lewis
Foreman
Dempsey
Frazier
Holyfield
Liston
Wlad

 

Foreman lost to lesser fighters in a declined Ali and Young in the 70s.

Foremans only hope is an early KO, hes not out pointing Holmes or stopping him late. Holmes actually has better odds of a late stoppage. And I dont see anyone blitzing out a young Holmes.

 

Foreman has a punchers chance for sure.

However, there probably is a reason why Foreman did not want to comeback until Larry lost the title.

 

I think Foreman avoided Larry a whole lot more.

Foreman was never in a serious position to challenge Tyson until after he beat Cooney. It was not until That fight that anyone realised George could be for real. His comeback was seen as a joke roadshow until then yet within a month Tyson was an ex champion. So he was never in contention.

Even if Foreman’s target really was Tyson, As an ex champion Mikes target was regaining the title. - not Foreman.

They both fought on the same card when Tyson came back against Henry Tillman. I think George Fought Allison Rodriguez. This gave George a #10 rating.

In quick succession however, ex champion Tyson fought Alex Stewart and #3 rated Ruddock. I cannot understand why Tyson would chose Ruddock as an opponent if he was scared of George? These three fights put Tyson as #1 contender. George was still only #10.

When is the #10 rated opponent harder to beat than the #3 guy?

Even so George leapfrogged Tyson And #3 Ruddock to get a shot at Holyfield. The new champion.

And then Tyson went to prison.

By the time Tyson got out of prison George was an inactive linear champion. If George still wanted Tyson he was the man calling the shots and still did not fight him.

As soon as Tyson started winning he was rated above George anyway-despite him being linear champion.

Interestingly 1995 Was an unusual year. In The Ring Magazine ratings The official champions Seldon, Bruno And Foreman were rated number six, number seven and number eight in their top ten behind Bowe, Tyson, Lewis, Moorer And Holyfield.

 

Pretty much exactly as I see it. Foreman for me.

 

Do you have any more tall tales similar to.... Foreman getting bossed around the ring by Ali and Young? I'm in need of a good laugh.