When was George Foreman at his best as a fighter?

Watch his career.

 

I have R and the real part lasts like 6 bloody fights… so maybe point a fight out would ya? Am I meant to make the claim of worlds best jabber off of efforts against O’Hallaran types too? So factually we have a round against Ali…Norton? and Frazier? Chuvalo? Where was it against Young? Peralta x2? World’s greatest ring cutter based on what man?

 

The moment you start throwing around sarcastic phrases like 'world's greatest ring cutter' (said one of the best ever, so close enough, granted) and hanging on to the Jack O'Halloran bout six months or so after his professional debut, which I mentioned as a response to supposed no head-movement (whereas Foreman clearly ducks, leans back, and rubber necks shots when he find it necessary to supplement his primary modes of defense) and move the goalpost to head-movement displayed against world class operators (which Norton of course isn't, because of your tasteless bias against him, and neither will be any fighter he's faced bar Young and Ali who are notorious all-time great defensive wizard with sharp, dynamic leads aimed at scoring points) it just becomes tedious.

Any good eye needs some seconds of Foreman-Norton, Foreman-Roman, or majority of his bouts after he was further polished when Dick Sadler brought in Archie Moore and Sandy Saddler to recognize the way he moves around the ring and uses grappling (which is attacked as senseless shoving, whilst it often has beautiful, hard to replicate body mechanics, timing, and composure) to see the craft. Often you can see it earlier than that.

You want to talk about 'myths?' He made his debut on 1969-06-23 with extremely limited amateur background. First Peralta bout less than a year into his professional career, and the stoppage of the ten times as experienced Chuvalo barely more than a year after the date. Both making the rankings in one way or another around the time (Peralta annually in '69, Chuvalo in '70) Two years into his career he became the only man at heavyweight to ever stop Peralta despite him surviving the likes of Bonavena and Lyle even while pushing well into his thirties. Dismantling Boone Kirkman at that time of their respective careers was not a bad win either. Foreman gets a lot of critique for his pre-Frazier career, but when you take into account non-existent amateur experience and put it next to Ali's and Frazier's and he does not look that bad, with Ali upping the pace with Doug Jones and Henry Cooper prior to the Liston bout (Archie was ranked, but yeah..) while Dick Sadler preferred to force the talked-about Frazier-Foreman bout with a streak of relatively meaningless knockouts during '72.

And yeah, George could slip and duck, especially those left hooks. You gotta give a lot more respect to Uncle Jimmy and Ali, because getting tagged by them is no shame, and by Young's own admission, George nearly turned his lights out at one point.

 

John i agree he was better in his prime. How do you think if the old and young version would face each other. Does old Foreman's strenghts nullify the younger man's aggression?

 

What i will say is OMG what a weird fight hahaha

 

87 - 91 Foreman is the best heavyweight that ever lived.

Slow is he ? Lmao

This guy is running a marathon and still gets the living daylights beaten out of him.

This is exactly how Joel Louis moved through the ring. Stalking and pouncing on his prey like a panther.
It's also exactly how gennady Golovkin used his feet. Is there utube vids showing GGG doing the Joe Louis shuffle. I'm sure there is lol

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So there are no bouts to demonstrate his head movement just a couple instances? Like I said originally “so-so” put up something I’m sorry it’s tedious to show Foreman use head movement against credible opponents lol maybe it’s a sign I’m right? no bouts to show me he was “one of the best ever” at cutting off the ring? Buddy his “grappling” is built on half sometimes entirely illegal fluff pushing someone isn’t credible boxing… framing, smothering a persons hands, parries etc “hand fighting” like you call it yes credible skills but beautiful? lol That’s really romancing it a bit … I don’t think “slipping” a hook makes sense by the way? you can roll it “wrap it” but that’s a different thing. Yes 70s Foreman is a myth of epic proportions one of the most hysterically overrated fighters EVER literally ever… speaking of Roman (who?) are you talking about the fight where he like windmill winds up behind his head? If that was in black and white we’d all be talking about how far boxing has come but because it’s the 70s “Oh the misunderstood genius of it all! The unappreciated X factor qualifies at play!” Tasteless? Norton is a credible opponent, nothing really even happens in that fight btw, nowhere to say he had anything but as I said “so-so” head movement.

 

I do find it odd that nobody gives Foreman **** for windmilling punches from miles behind his head. Wilder does it and he's a disgrace to boxing, evidence of boxings decline. Foreman does it and he's brilliant, evidence of the golden age.

Idungetit

 

You’re a disgrace.

 

Astute observations re Foreman’s attributes. Top post Rollin.

 

You should do lengthier posts more often - brilliant! You certainly know your boxing.

 

I thought he was amazing in Frazier 2.

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Totally agree.

A pleasure to watch and, at least imo, somewhat similar to the dismantling of Chuvalo in respect of the established backbone of his well applied jab and the overall patient and methodical nature of his performance.

Finally, it’s also another excellent example of Foreman’s notable accuracy which is all too often underrated.