Was Ali afraid of Foreman?

[Lexus]

Just watched Foreman vs Norton and Ali was yelling instructions to Norton, when he was supposed to be the commentator. Would you say Ali was afraid of Foreman?

[robert.snell1]

anyone not afraid of foreman would have been very stupid and arrogant. Ali was not stupid.......the most arrogant - and deserved in my opinion-

[silkov]

Ali would have had fear as all normal people do but he'd psych himself up by the time of the fight so that he really felt that he was invincible... much of boxing is mind over matter and Ali in the latter part of his career often won his fights as much mentally as physically...

[kovit]

Hey Silkov I'm asking you from the measuring tapes just read there on the bottom of my messenge please.

[Lexus]

Did Ali suffer any damage from all those hard body shots Foreman landed on him? (I mean permanently)

[KOJOE90]

Did Ali suffer any damage from all those hard body shots Foreman landed on him? (I mean permanently)

It was detected towards the end of his career that Ali had sustained some slight kidney damage (I don't think it was perminant). But I think is was due to many fights and sparring sessions and not just because of one single opponent.

[Spreadking]

For some reason Foreman had to wait 3 years just for an elimination bout to get a shot at Ali. Why was that ? Why no clamor for a rematch ? Where there different promoters involved ?

I'm sure Ali was in no hurry after the 3rd Frazier fight to take on Foreman. To bad it didn't happen.

Norton was scared before his fight with Foreman. I don't think Ali had time to be scared. he had a fight plan in my mind, and his ego wouldn't let him not be champ again.

Satisfying his ego and winning the title back was what was on his mind. Especiallly doing it against this 'unbeatable monster' as people had made George to be.

[KOJOE90]

For some reason Foreman had to wait 3 years just for an elimination bout to get a shot at Ali. Why was that ? Why no clamor for a rematch ? Where there different promoters involved ?

Well one reason is that after the Ali lose Foreman due to his shattered confidence didn't fight for nearly 18 months but of course returned to have that thrilling battle with big punching Ron Lyle and had a good run against good rated opponents in 1976.

Jan. 24, 1976 Ron Lyle KO 5
June 15, 1976 Joe Frazier TKO 5
Aug. 14, 1976 Scott LeDoux KO 3
Oct. 15, 1976 Dino Denis TKO 4

After an meaningless win over perenial loser Pedro Agosto (who was later KO'd by a novice Leon Spinks) there was then the infamous fight with the highly skilled and avoided Jimmy Young.

My understanding is that Foreman had been 'promised' a rematch with the then fading Ali if he beat Young. Foreman has claimed he was asked not to look too devestating so not to frighted 'team Ali' off. So he went easy on Young for the first few rounds, but when it became time to 'put the pressure' on Young the heat had gotten to him and Young had gained in confidence and of course took a shock points victory.

And as they say the rest is history.

Like I said this is just what I heard and others may disagree.

[Brutu]

That wasnt George Foreman that Ali beat over in Africa,that was a banana.
Im quoting George Foreman here from when he was interview after fight with
the Toronto Seven back in 1975.

[Lexus]

Didn't Ali, taking all those shots, expose the myth of Foreman's punching power?

[wouter]

Didn't Ali, taking all those shots, expose the myth of Foreman's punching power?

Yes, Ali proved Foreman hit about as hard as Chris Byrd

[lumpymo]

I don't agree with you if you say that Ali exposed the myth of George Foremans puching power. Big George could hit like no one else, except maybe Shavers at the time. George was a destruct and destroy machine back then, he was so powerful. That makes it that more amazing that Ali was able to take those shots and ride out the storm working on Georges mind during the fight until George was all spent at the end, but then again the ref in that fight screwed up as well. Watch the end after George goes down the ref screwed up. George could also take a punch like no one else, he got dropped from exaustion, see his fight with Ron Lyle? Now that was a war, and George took some big punches in that fight and kept getting back up, don't forget Lyle knocked Ernie Shavers out cold before that fight, that man could hit.

cheers M.O.

[KOJOE90]

don't forget Lyle knocked Ernie Shavers out cold before that fight, that man could hit.

Earnie Shavers has stated many times the hardest puncher he ever faced was Ron Lyle.

[KOJOE90]

Didn't Ali, taking all those shots, expose the myth of Foreman's punching power?

There is no 'myth' about Foremans punching power.

Foreman was one of the most powerfull and hard hitting Heavyweights who ever lived in my opinion.

[lumpymo]

You look at the heavyweights since the late 70's going through to now, all except maybe Holyfield I would take George Foreman over all of them. I am talking about the George Foreman of the 70's mind you, he would wade through these guys today, that Klitsko he would crush that guy in a couple rounds, Byrd... one punch lands and lights out for him, Ruiz... don't make me laugh, Lewis... dam he wouldn't even fight a Foreman, maybe Tyson, the Tyson of the 80's mind you during the time he was going up against Spinks, after that it was all downhill for him... but Big George could also take a punch like no one else, and Tysons chin is suspect if you ask me.
There has been no one like George foreman before or since.

cheers M.O.