BoxRec

Foreman won a heavyweight championship title at the age of 45. That's the record which is still unbeaten since 1994. We all know how dangerous was an old Foreman and who wouldn't want to be in such a form at that age?

Is there a 45 year old boxer who could beat a Foreman's version from 1994? I mean any boxer from the past at that age, not only current 45 year olds. Do you think Wladimir Klitschko at that age could do it (he would have to be 7 years older than now - it's a long time to predict)?

If there is no such a boxer, then maybe somebody a bit younger? 40 year old?

Holyfield probably would have.

Duch wrote:Foreman won a heavyweight championship title at the age of 45. That's the record which is still unbeaten since 1994. We all know how dangerous was an old Foreman and who wouldn't want to be in such a form at that age?

Is there a 45 year old boxer who could beat a Foreman's version from 1994? I mean any boxer from the past at that age, not only current 45 year olds. Do you think Wladimir Klitschko at that age could do it (he would have to be 7 years older than now - it's a long time to predict)?

If there is no such a boxer, then maybe somebody a bit younger? 40 year old?

Wlad would struggle just now with old George. I'd say maybe Larry Holmes could have done it. Don't think old Evander could have.

No way Evander at 45 would've won. Only guy I can see would be possibly Holmes, but I'm not sure Larry had the stamina at that age to deal with George's pressure.

Holmes is a good shout....but it is a bigger pity that their careers did not coincide a good deal earlier. A fight in or around 1983 between these two would have been stonking.

I suppose you should really look at adding Lennox and Vitali to the list as well. Both guys were still highly effective and at the top of the business in their late thirties (and early 40s in VK's case) so definitely not inconceivable that they could have come back a few years later and given George a proper run for his money. Both fights would be fascinating, be extremely interesting to see how Lennox approached that fight and how he would cope with a Foreman bomb on the chin.

honestly I can't think of any. First of all the pool of men who stuck around until age 45 is very shallow, and of the ones who did, few of them were still worth anything by that point. Someone mentioned Evander Holyfield, but I disagree. That version of Holyfield was as slow or slower than Foreman at that age, would have stood right in front of him and was getting beat by lesser men. Evander couldn't afford to get hammered like that against George when being 45. Holmes might have had a chance but I'm not too optimistic. Larry's jab and footwork had long diminished and was looking lackluster against mediocrities.

The problem with this Q is that no one else but George did what George did... Holmes came closest to replicating what Foreman did, but even he failed to do so. And for my money Holmes may very well of been the greatest heavyweight of all time at his prime.

Hopkins.....he just might be able to run, tap and hug his way to a decision. Ok maybe not...but he has the best chance in my opinion. Despite his size disadvantage.

Possibly Jack Johnson

Yanks tend to overrate comeback Foreman as well as Michael Moorer. It's a bit sad really. Holyfield, Holmes and dare I say Tarver could have outpointed the big guy, especially over 10 rounds.

polecateddy wrote:Yanks tend to overrate comeback Foreman as well as Michael Moorer. It's a bit sad really. Holyfield, Holmes and dare I say Tarver could have outpointed the big guy, especially over 10 rounds.

Why is your opinion making you sad?

Tarver?

I agree that what remains of Holyfield would be unlikely to beat comeback George. His punch output isn't higher any longer, George hit harder, had a better jab, and was bigger. The only thing giving Holy a chance is his ATG heart.

polecateddy wrote:Holyfield probably would have.

Holyfield struggled with Foreman while he was in his prime. I don't think he'd fare well 15 years older.

Othro wrote:Possibly Jack Johnson

That's a great shout

There can't be many.

Defintely not Evander.... Vitali was still dominant at 41 when retiring... but I'm not sure I'd put him over George.
Holmes is a possibility... I would see that 50-50.
Either George tags him, or Larry irks out a points decision

Vitali was clearly slowing and creaking at 41. 4 years later? George wins it.

Vitali could habe beaten him, if hed prepared well. He beat all his opponents easily till the end and was at 41 clearly better than 45-Foreman.

Jan wrote:Vitali could habe beaten him, if hed prepared well. He beat all his opponents easily till the end and was at 41 clearly better than 45-Foreman.

If 45 is the designated age then Vitali is omitted from the pool of potential candidates. He fought for the last time at age 41 and wasn't looking too hot in his last few bouts.

Or ever for that matter.

How about Archie Moore? Never a great heavyweight, but he was the exception to the rule regarding age.

Sam Langford maybe

I don't think so. Langford retired at 43, and hadn't beaten a top fighter in several years. He was starting to lose to 2nd raters. Now if he hadn't over 300 fights that might be a different story.

Yeah I really can't think of any heavyweight who at the exact age of 45 should be favored over Foreman. There are a small handful of men who might have given him fits at that stage, but none that I'd bet money on to win.

drunkenpiper36 wrote:honestly I can't think of any. First of all the pool of men who stuck around until age 45 is very shallow, and of the ones who did, few of them were still worth anything by that point. Someone mentioned Evander Holyfield, but I disagree. That version of Holyfield was as slow or slower than Foreman at that age, would have stood right in front of him and was getting beat by lesser men. Evander couldn't afford to get hammered like that against George when being 45. Holmes might have had a chance but I'm not too optimistic. Larry's jab and footwork had long diminished and was looking lackluster against mediocrities.

We'd be talking the Holmes of the McCall fight. I think it would be close, very close.

Tomasino wrote:

drunkenpiper36 wrote:honestly I can't think of any. First of all the pool of men who stuck around until age 45 is very shallow, and of the ones who did, few of them were still worth anything by that point. Someone mentioned Evander Holyfield, but I disagree. That version of Holyfield was as slow or slower than Foreman at that age, would have stood right in front of him and was getting beat by lesser men. Evander couldn't afford to get hammered like that against George when being 45. Holmes might have had a chance but I'm not too optimistic. Larry's jab and footwork had long diminished and was looking lackluster against mediocrities.

We'd be talking the Holmes of the McCall fight. I think it would be close, very close.

Yeah I agree. Holmes was roughly 45 when he fought McCall and some actually thought he deserved the nod. So yeah, that may be one of the very few guys who'd have a chance or at least give him a good fight at that point.