I'm not at all trying to comapre the two quality wise. Pastrano was a great fighter, and Foreman only a good one, I'm just saying stylewise... Foreman fights alot like a poor man's Pastrano.
Spent alotta time with Pastrano -- 'n Clay-- at the 5th St. Gym in Miami, X. Saw Willie fight 'n spar ('n mostly drive Angelo Dundee nuts) alot. He danced 'n multiple-flicked his jab EXCLUSIVELY. From what I've seen of Foreman, he's on his horse alot 'n spears repeatedly with his jab, but shoeshines when he has to before gettin' outta town. Think Willie threw more jabs faster 'n could take a better shot than Foreman, judging from how he's reacted when he's been nailed.
Wow J.G., Pastrano's one of my favorite fighters and personalities ever..he seemed like a really nice guy who frankly and honestly hated getting that face of his messed up..after all it would have hurt him from scoring with the ladies, right? Yuri Foreman I like and wish him to succeed..he has a sensible defensive style that I like, but just comparing him to Willie really flatters him, IMO. It's like comparing a Volkswagen to a Cadillac. Willie was so much more refined with a BEAUTIFUL left jab..and could dance and move effortlessly. A real boxing purist...Yuri would do well to emulate Pastrano throughout his career and screw the crowd's lust for slugging and blood and guts. I read how that other Willie...Pep, that is, told Pastrano to "nevermind the crowd".."screw the fans, they don't pay your hospital bills", lol.
At the tail end of his career, Pep trained at 5th St., with Pastrano 'n a young Clay. The threesome was like havin' a non-stop slapstick act.
