Prime George Foreman vs. a prime Lennox Lewis?

[NYDominican]

A prime George Foreman against a prime Lennox Lewis.



What advantages (if any) would George have over Lennox?



What advantages (if any) would Lennox have over George?



What do you see happening in this fight?



Who would win?




Why?

[Syntax Error]

I've often thought about this one.

I've often thought that prime Lewis (1996 - 2001) would be the man to take Foreman, but I don't say that with full confidence.

A fit & properly prepared prime Lewis would have been difficult for any HW to beat.

Lewis was much more cautious post McCall 1; he was also bigger & much heavier than George. He was arguably even physically stronger than the freakishly strong Foreman.

Lewis would use his jab & take no chances whatsoever.

If George got close, Lewis would have been able to tie him up & lean on him & ultimately prevail via UD.

[elmersalsa]

I've often thought about this one.

I've often thought that prime Lewis (1996 - 2001) would be the man to take Foreman, but I don't say that with full confidence.

A fit & properly prepared prime Lewis would have been difficult for any HW to beat.

Lewis was much more cautious post McCall 1; he was also bigger & much heavier than George. He was arguably even physically stronger than the freakishly strong Foreman.

Lewis would use his jab & take no chances whatsoever.

If George got close, Lewis would have been able to tie him up & lean on him & ultimately prevail via UD.

Lennox Lewis is not fast enough to outbox the great George Foreman. Neither is stronger than Big George. A boxer that beats Big George got to be very fast, at least with the jab. That is why I can see the great Larry Holmes beating Big George in a way. The great Muhammad Ali did it. The great Evander Holyfield did it. And Jimmy Young gave him a boxing lesson with the jab. Quickness is the key.

[Broomhall]

Lewis for me, as long as he didnt under estimate Foreman in the same way he did Rahman and McCall. I think big enough to lean on Foreman and tie him up as Ali did, and good enough a boxer to keep him honest as Young did, and hard a hitter as Ron Lyle was so I think he could hurt big George.

[dr_devious]

Cant see Lennox's chin standing up to Foreman's bombs, George Foreman by KO

[HomicideHenry]

I've seen Lewis hurt often in his career... even against the echo that was once Tyson, in that first round, did it appear that his eyes glazed over momentarily. If Lewis came out guns blazing, we would see one hell of a contest, but that was never his style. If he tried to box George--- I dont know how well he would of done it. George was just so strong and reckless and fierce. "The Gentleman" wouldn't of been able to get down and dirty with Foreman. Lewis, was better in rematches, though.

It must be said, though, that Foreman in the early 2000's claimed that Lewis was better than Ali. So, was a rather odd statement, considering Foreman lost to Ali. Then again, this was around the time Foreman was considering a comeback at the age of 54 to fight the Klitschko brothers--- and he said he wanted no part of Lewis.

[Syntax Error]

I've often thought about this one.

I've often thought that prime Lewis (1996 - 2001) would be the man to take Foreman, but I don't say that with full confidence.

A fit & properly prepared prime Lewis would have been difficult for any HW to beat.

Lewis was much more cautious post McCall 1; he was also bigger & much heavier than George. He was arguably even physically stronger than the freakishly strong Foreman.

Lewis would use his jab & take no chances whatsoever.

If George got close, Lewis would have been able to tie him up & lean on him & ultimately prevail via UD.

Lennox Lewis is not fast enough to outbox the great George Foreman. Neither is stronger than Big George. A boxer that beats Big George got to be very fast, at least with the jab. That is why I can see the great Larry Holmes beating Big George in a way. The great Muhammad Ali did it. The great Evander Holyfield did it. And Jimmy Young gave him a boxing lesson with the jab. Quickness is the key.

You make a good point to be honest.

Lennox wasn't slow, but he wasn't a speedster in the Ali mould & this is one of the reasons why I wasn't wholly confident about picking him, but I felt his larger size, tremendous strength & his caution might see him through against Foreman.

You can never say though, as Foreman would arguably only need to tag him full-on on one occasion & Lewis would be in orbit.

[polecateddy]

Pre-comeback Foreman was lumbering and predictable. Watching him crudely swing away at Ali was slightly embarrassing and oddly robotic. Lewis' skills were on a different plain. And actually Lewis could take a punch, despite losing in two unfocused efforts. Foreman after all was all over the place against Ron Lyle. Post-comeback Foreman actually said himself he had no place in the ring with Lewis. He would have been pummelled.

[Tuan_Jim]

Right, so Lewis was terrified of engaging a 36 year old Holyfield but he'll pummel George Foreman? Okay.

[Syntax Error]

Pre-comeback Foreman was lumbering and predictable. Watching him crudely swing away at Ali was slightly embarrassing and oddly robotic. Lewis' skills were on a different plain. And actually Lewis could take a punch, despite losing in two unfocused efforts. Foreman after all was all over the place against Ron Lyle. Post-comeback Foreman actually said himself he had no place in the ring with Lewis. He would have been pummelled.

George Foreman: if only it was possible to marry his two incarnations.

He was a much better fighter the second time around, but by then, he was so slow, you could see his punches coming from last month!

[polecateddy]

Right, so Lewis was terrified of engaging a 36 year old Holyfield but he'll pummel George Foreman? Okay.

Suggesting someone is old at 36 is a bit silly these days. And Lewis definitely had Holyfield hurt in the 3rd round of their first fight. I agree, it was probably an opportunity missed.

[Tuan_Jim]

We're not talking about "these days", we're talking about 1999, and a 36 year old that had boxed professionally 15 years, through umpteen wars, including Qawi twice, Dokes, Foreman, Bowe thrice, Moorer twice, Tyson twice, and Mercer. If you don't think that's an old 36 year old you are beyond help.

[dempseyfire]

I'd pick Foreman to win everytime because of one thing: the jab. The myth that Foreman "learned the jab" in his comeback incarnation is a pure myth repeated by HBO over and over again. Watch his jab vs Chuvalo, Norton, Peralta. The hardest jab in HW history, and pretty quick and snappy too. Lewis had a good jab but was outjabbed by Mercer, Bruno, and even in spots by Holyfield (although Evander by that stage never consistently threw any punch).

Foreman will outjab him, and thus take away Lewis's best weapon. When Lewis is forced to trade, he's getting knocked out (Foreman's body work is also going to be a major factor)

[Ezzard]

Lewis and Foreman are too good to get beaten by anyone every single time.

Both of these guys were good fighters with shortcomings. Later in their careers both men adapted to cover for these shortcomings. I give them credit for that.

[polecateddy]

We're not talking about "these days", we're talking about 1999, and a 36 year old that had boxed professionally 15 years, through umpteen wars, including Qawi twice, Dokes, Foreman, Bowe thrice, Moorer twice, Tyson twice, and Mercer. If you don't think that's an old 36 year old you are beyond help.

Holyfield looked very sprightly in the 2nd Lewis fight. Not at his peak, but within touching distance. His last great performance really.

[elmersalsa]

Pre-comeback Foreman was lumbering and predictable. Watching him crudely swing away at Ali was slightly embarrassing and oddly robotic. Lewis' skills were on a different plain. And actually Lewis could take a punch, despite losing in two unfocused efforts. Foreman after all was all over the place against Ron Lyle. Post-comeback Foreman actually said himself he had no place in the ring with Lewis. He would have been pummelled.

George Foreman: if only it was possible to marry his two incarnations.

He was a much better fighter the second time around, but by then, he was so slow, you could see his punches coming from last month!

[spalato]

I think prime George would try as he always did to land hard punches, Lewis would block it in the first rounds, George would ran out of gas and Lewis would knock him out

[DR.Dave]

It's a tough one, but I keep thinking about Lewis' punishing jab. His right hand was no cream puff either.Of course George had a lot going for him too. But I'm picking Lewis.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

Heavyweight class more so than any other weight class one needs a chin of granite this would be a huge advantage for FOREMAN
LEWIS would have a approx 10/12kg advantage in weight a good reach advantage and a slight height advantage

That been said I believe team LEWIS would be well aware of Foreman punching power and physical strength,
I think LEWIS would be very cautious early FOREMAN would continue to march forward and work his jab to get inside for some punishing body work
LEWIS would hold a slight lead going into the 5th round using his reach advantage and great jab but is fighting mostly on the back foot
FOREMAN starts to up the ante by round 7 and start's to mix up his attack head shot's start to get through LEWIS is forced to stand and trade
In round 8 FOREMAN land's a right hand bomb followed up by a thudding left that leaves LEWIS badly hurt on the rope's unable to defend himself
The ref jumps in to save LEWIS.................time 1 minute 30 second's into round 8

[logron]

Depends if we are talking of pre-ali foreman or post-ali foreman. Pre-ali foreman probably destroys lewis who is both too slow, not mobile enough and has a suspect chin. Too many handicaps in front of an aggressive and super confident foreman. Post-ali foreman is a much more academic fighter under gil clancy but this new style doesn't suit him at all. He looses his aggressiveness and relentless stalking of his opponent (see the lyle fight). In that case, lewis has a better chance with his boxing skills and size. Come back george definitely too slow and predictable to cause real trouble for lewis, unless lewis is not 100% careful then the Mc Call Rahman stories can repeat.

[logron]

Did my homework and just watched a few lewis fights naming Briggs and Grant. Actually, Lewis would not even stand a chance against post ali foreman. No defense and vulnerable to heavy punches in the first rounds. George would have taken him down. Too static. Lewis can punch alright no doubt about that, but look at the caliber he fought. Briggs, a guy who held the distance against an old foreman and almost took him down in the first two rounds. Grant, a big punching bag with no stamina. No way, you guys have to revise your heavyweight class bool.

[Caractacus]

sheeyat,
Why not a 'past-his-prime" George Foreman against an "up-and-coming" Lennox Lewis.
It could have happened you know >

[gilgamesh]

A prime George Foreman against a prime Lennox Lewis.



What advantages (if any) would George have over Lennox?
Punching Power
Better chin
Better inside fighter
Better body puncher



What advantages (if any) would Lennox have over George?
Height and Reach
Superior Technical Skill
Better Stamina and ability to Pace a fight



What do you see happening in this fight?
If I answered this it would make the next two questions irrelevant.



Who would win?
George Foreman



Why?
I just can't see Lennox Lewis being able to avoid George's bombs enough to win here. George would be aggressive, bulling Lennox to the ropes and roughing him up with his bodyshots and aggression. Lennox would get distance when he could and land stiff jabs on Foreman when he could, but eventually one of those booming sweeping right hands of George is gonna find the mark on Lennox's chin, and when it does he ain't gonna get up.

[Syntax Error]

A prime George Foreman against a prime Lennox Lewis.



What advantages (if any) would George have over Lennox?
Punching Power
Better chin
Better inside fighter
Better body puncher



What advantages (if any) would Lennox have over George?
Height and Reach
Superior Technical Skill
Better Stamina and ability to Pace a fight



What do you see happening in this fight?
If I answered this it would make the next two questions irrelevant.



Who would win?
George Foreman



Why?
I just can't see Lennox Lewis being able to avoid George's bombs enough to win here. George would be aggressive, bulling Lennox to the ropes and roughing him up with his bodyshots and aggression. Lennox would get distance when he could and land stiff jabs on Foreman when he could, but eventually one of those booming sweeping right hands of George is gonna find the mark on Lennox's chin, and when it does he ain't gonna get up.

I think Lennox Lewis was physically stronger than Foreman too.

Foreman had massive physical strength & he probably never fought anyone that was stronger than him, but he would have done with Lewis.

[gilgamesh]

Yeah I was thinking Lennox might have a strength advantage, but I figured even if he did it wouldn't be a significant enough advantage to point out. Foreman was an exceptionally strong guy too.