Not to make an MM between them, but to compare them otherwise. Young Foreman was much more fierce, he put everything behind his shots and was clearly the faster. Old Foreman fought much more relaxed and threw mainly (very heavy) arm-punches. Because of this, his conditioning held up better and his punches were more difficult to see, even though they were slower. Also, he seemed to take a better punch and fought smarter. So I was wondering, are there some cases where you would give the old version a better chance, compared to the younger? And could the old Foreman have repeated the victories the youngster had?
The simple answer to your question: No. There's virtually no instance where I would give comeback George a better chance against someone than 73 Foreman. Sure, old man George tightened up his D and became wiser, but he lost much of the firepower that made him who he was, and ultimately, he was an inferior fighter as a result. I'd also add that 73 Foreman was MUCH quicker on his feet than comebacking Foreman, therefore it was harder for guys to evade him.
Yeah, you may be right. I was thinking that if the younger version couldn't KO some slick boxer early, he might lose a decision whereas the old Foreman might get the W with his strong jab and harder shots as he could keep them up. But I haven't come up with a good example. So let's continue another way. Ehat about fighters who young Foreman would beat but the older one would lose to? I'd pick the old version to beat Frazier and Norton, but the younger might have beaten Holyfield
The old Foreman would get battered by peak Frazier. This goes back to Frazier getting underrated. He was too quick and dynamic for old George. And young Foreman beats Holy imo. Young Foreman also annihilates Morrison, but that's a no-brainer.
Ol' Man Foreman Couldn't Have ASKED For Nor EXPECTED to Achieve More Than he Actually Did in his Comeback... That Version of Foreman was as SLOW and LUMBERING as Any Lineal Heavyweight Champion in History... The Holyfield Fight was a MORAL Victory, Cooney was a SHELL Of Himself and Moorer SLEPT On Big George Big Time, Basically Gift Wrapping the 1 and Only Chance Foreman Had of Beating Him... Tommy Morrison was Never Renown for his Skill Level, Necessarily, Yet DECISIVELY Outpointed Big George... Foreman Wasn't Satisfied w/the WAY the 1st Phase of his Career Ended, So he Reinvented Himself and Added a Historic Bookend...NATHAN But Respect for That, but @ the Same Time, Big George's Opponents were CAREFULLY Selected in Phase 2... REED Doesn't Know of ANY Elite 70's Era Heavyweight Ol' Man Foreman Defeats... The KO Potential Would Be Ever Present, but Once Guys Saw the SLOTH Pace @ Which Ol' Man Foreman Moved, Chinny Fighters Would Simply Elect to OUTBOX Him, ala Morrison... REED
Joe gets treated like anybody in history with two arms and a decent punch beats him. Still remember when the horse-lookin clown swore that Joshua would stop Frazier inside of 2.
I actually think the old but in shape and relaxed Foreman would have a shot at outlasting the wreckless young foreman.
Not trying to underrate Frazier at all. I just think that since he was stylistically outclassed in the 70s, old Foreman's style would be difficult for him as well, as Frazier only had one approach. Foreman would still be able to push Joe off and his punches would still hurt. Also since fat baby Mathis was able to take Frazier's battering for 10+ rounds and he had nothing to hold him off and Foreman was nothing if not durable, I don't see a quick wipeout for Frazier, although he might win
Old Foreman was more relaxed in the ring and had the knowledge of young Foreman’s mindset, but that only goes so far when your reflexes aren’t quick enough to react to the punches and openings. Old Foreman might get really busted up like he did against Alex Stewart. Young Foreman would have gotten Stewart out of there early like Tyson & Moorer did. Young Foreman would also beat Tommy Morrison and I would make him the favorite over Holyfield. Also to note, I think there is a difference between the old pre-Holyfield and post-Holyfield versions of Foreman. That was a physically taxing bout, and Foreman was 42 years old. The 90/91 Foreman would fare better in defeat.
