Early 90s George Foreman vs. Late 90s David Tua.

[VG_Addict]

This would have been a war between two iron-chinned, hard-punching heavyweights. Who would have won?

[gilgamesh]

Tua wasn't too terribly hard to outbox so maybe Foreman could've troubled him with his jab, but I kinda feel like this version of Tua could just outhustle Big George and win a narrow decision over him.

Foreman wouldn't knock out Tua I don't think, and likewise I think Big George would stand up to Tua's shots, but I think Tua would land more of 'em, and most importantly would be able to keep a busier pace.

[Kalan]

Foreman would have a good chance because he got a lot smarter as he got older....

George relaxed, focused in, and took his time. He paced himself much better as he aged.... Foreman had a slow power jab like Hasim Rahman... Rahman gave Tua tons of trouble with his jab until Tua nailed him with a good shot... In their rematch Tua wasn't into Boxing anymore. He wasn't fighting regularly or seriously... Commitment makes a massive difference.

Jimmy Young knocked a young Foreman down.. Tua might time a younger Foreman like he timed John Ruiz and Michael Moorer... Tua waited for them to swing, and he smashed them out in 20 seconds each.... The young Tua was one of the best at lining you up... If you loaded a punch or were a little slow with a punch he'd flatten you... Frez Oquendo was actually beating Tua on points until he threw a sloppy punch... Then he was history.

[DrDuke]

George would have taken a decision there. He was bigger, more skilled than Tua. And I'd say, he even had a better chin. Tua's chin, by the way, wasn't ideal, Tua was knocked out by Savon in the amateurs and was dropped by Rahman just after the final bell in their rematch. Anyway Foreman would have most likely just outboxed him.

[SenorPipino]

Foreman convincingly.

I never thought much of Tua. Just a slow plodding guy with a great chin and a great hook.

Foreman too smart for Tua. Pops the jab into his face and ties up Tua if he got close.

George would have to problem hitting the defensively challenged Tua.

A weak chinned Maskaev practically shut out Tua until he tired and got hit a few shots.

Foreman had a great chin and knew how to pace himself in the 90s.

Foreman by decision, about 9-3 in a 12 rounder.

[Boxing Writer]

Foreman by UD.

[Ambling Alp II]

Tua did have a great chin so it's doubtful Foreman stops him.
If Tua was aggressive, as he was in some fights, he could outwork this version of Foreman who had to fight a slow pace. However, more often it was Tua fighting at an even slower pace trying to load up with a huge left hook once a round.

The most likely scenario is Foreman wins a decision in a fairly dull fight.

[BoxBuzz]

If Foreman didn't stop Tua during the fight, this fight just might end Tua's career....because that chin may have held up....but I'm not sure any noggin is going to withstand the incoming....and Tua could be hit.

A KO can be merciful

I'm in pain just considering it.

[Kalan]

That wouldn't happen BuzzBox.... Because Ike Ibeabuchi was bigger, stronger, and could throw harder than Foreman... He nailed Tua with some ringing head shots that hardly made him blink... Tua had one of the greatest chins... A far bigger man than 205-pound Frazier who had at least 15 pounds of fat on him when he fought George.

Ron Lyle didn't end his career with the Foreman fight... and Lyle was more open than Tua... And that was a really young Foreman at the height of his punching power... Foreman hit the deck a few times in that one and it looked like he was out cold at least one time.... It was a "Last man Standing" type of swing-fest.... Old Foreman couldn't throw that hard.

[gilgamesh]

I personally thought Tua got the better of the fight with Ibeabuchi myself. I scored it 115-113 Tua. Great fight though. I agree that I think Tua would be able to stand up to Foreman's power...especially the older Foreman.

[BoxBuzz]

That wouldn't happen BuzzBox.... Because Ike Ibeabuchi was bigger, stronger, and could throw harder than Foreman... He nailed Tua with some ringing head shots that hardly made him blink... Tua had one of the greatest chins... A far bigger man than 205-pound Frazier who had at least 15 pounds of fat on him when he fought George.

Ron Lyle didn't end his career with the Foreman fight... and Lyle was more open than Tua... And that was a really young Foreman at the height of his punching power... Foreman hit the deck a few times in that one and it looked like he was out cold at least one time.... It was a "Last man Standing" type of swing-fest.... Old Foreman couldn't throw that hard.

This just in.....fresh from Headquarters.....or was it Hindquarters? I get confused.


Ike hit harder than Foreman. (We talkin' the general with a tank? Or the boxer with his fists?....may need to sort that)


No evidence.....nothing to compel anyone to believe this fun statement.


And yet.....This is A fact shared with us all........ plain and simple as that.


Now move along everyone......nothing to see here.


However in real time.....yes.....David would likely do well. based on the parameters stated.

[Kalan]

Ike hit harder than Foreman. (We talkin' the general with a tank? Or the boxer with his fists?....may need to sort that)

You don't LOOK for evidence BuzzBox .... and dismiss it if it doesn't match your preconceived and fanciful day dreams.

Did Foreman stop Jimmy Young with his best shots??? NO!! .... Did Ibeabuchi stop Chris Byrd with his ripping shots??? YES!!

(And wait -- we're talking 90's Foreman here.... Not the most formidable puncher since Jack Dempsey's prime)

Did Foreman KO chinny Lou Saverese like the way Tyson took him out???? NOOO.....

Did Foreman KO chinny Crawford Grimsley in the same way Jimmy Thunder took Grimsley out???? NOOO....

Did George take out Axel Schulz the way others took the boy out???? NOOOOO

Did he KO Michael Moorer as quickly as David Tua did???? NOOOOO and that was the last KO blow George ever threw.

Did Foreman KO the hittable and not too formidable Big Foot Martin???? NOOOO

Was Foreman able to KO Alex Stewart 12 months after Mike Tyson ended Stewart in 1 round???? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[BoxBuzz]

Did you get the Memo that in George's second run....he was a bit more tame in waiting for his chances? Took few risks.....and still ended up with one of the highest KO's percentages in history.

At that point in time....it's a close fight between these two...granted..............but your "fun fact" that George did not hit as hard as Ike does produce some comic relief for most of us.

[oogiebe]

Earnie Shavers hit harder then all of them...Jullian Jackson was the hardest hitting PFP I ever saw.

Ibeabuchi (sp?) was not among the hardest hitting of all time.

[Kalan]

Did you get the Memo that in George's second run....he was a bit more tame in waiting for his chances? Took few risks.....and still ended up with one of the highest KO's percentages in history.

At that point in time....it's a close fight between these two...granted..............but your "fun fact" that George did not hit as hard as Ike does produce some comic relief for most of us.

Your fun facts are only fun for you...

Who was bigger and stronger... Fat Boy Foreman??? or Ironman Ike Ibeabuchi??? Ibeabuchi was a rock hard 245 for Byrd... Foreman was rock hard at 217, but soft and flabby at 245... No wonder he couldn't get Big Foot Martin, Alex Steward, Crawford Grimsley, or Lou Saverese outta here... The chinny wonders survived George's best bombs.

BTW.... Foreman padded his KO record by fighting 20 straight dogs on the comeback trail.... How many times did the young George Foreman have to punch Light Heavyweight Gregorio Peralta in 2 fights to finally get him out??? .... George damned near had to rip his head off to get the old LHW gone....a guy feather punching Willie Patrano stopped...

Ibeabuch was the FIRST to ever shittcan Chris Byrd... Byrd said Ibeabuchi would have been the future of the Heavyweight Division if he hadn't had his run ins with the American Criminal Justice System -- just because of his strength and power.

[BoxBuzz]

Hey Kalan.....you are a good baloney peddler....I'll grant you that. I believe YOU were the author of the statement "boxers will build up those who beat them, just too enhance their own rep".....and how clever you are to utilize Byrd's opinion of a guy who beat him to make this point......a point which is laughable.

Your use of Peralta (one of the most elusive fighters ever) as some sort of a benchmark on his lameness as a puncher has them rolling in the seats.

Besides...even if Ike was the future at that time and Byrds word was Gospel....it's a time that had limited talent......even a midget is a giant among ants. Now Ike must have hit harder than Vitali, since Byrd beat Vitali and lost to Ike.....would you agree? But then Byrd must hit harder than Vitali as well. Cuz that's just the way it goes in toon town.

We have also discussed the genius of an aging fighter carefully working back in to get his game back....something you seem to have disdain for in this speicific conversation. You blow.........in the direction of any prevailing wind....depending on whatever point you may be wishing to make at any given time.

Here's something for you to chew on.......George had more than 4 times as many fights.......and STILL has a 10% higher KO rate than Ike....who fought few major names. in his huge 20 fight career.

Now grab your chalk, go to the head of the class and write 100 times. "George hits harder than Ike" In honor of Presidents day. Then report back to me on how things are coming along for you in the judgment dept.

[oogiebe]

Did you get the Memo that in George's second run....he was a bit more tame in waiting for his chances? Took few risks.....and still ended up with one of the highest KO's percentages in history.

At that point in time....it's a close fight between these two...granted..............but your "fun fact" that George did not hit as hard as Ike does produce some comic relief for most of us.

Your fun facts are only fun for you...

Who was bigger and stronger... Fat Boy Foreman??? or Ironman Ike Ibeabuchi??? Ibeabuchi was a rock hard 245 for Byrd... Foreman was rock hard at 217, but soft and flabby at 245... No wonder he couldn't get Big Foot Martin, Alex Steward, Crawford Grimsley, or Lou Saverese outta here... The chinny wonders survived George's best bombs.

BTW.... Foreman padded his KO record by fighting 20 straight dogs on the comeback trail.... How many times did the young George Foreman have to punch Light Heavyweight Gregorio Peralta in 2 fights to finally get him out??? .... George damned near had to rip his head off to get the old LHW gone....a guy feather punching Willie Patrano stopped...

Ibeabuch was the FIRST to ever shittcan Chris Byrd... Byrd said Ibeabuchi would have been the future of the Heavyweight Division if he hadn't had his run ins with the American Criminal Justice System -- just because of his strength and power.

I think your spaceship is double parked outside, lad.

[oogiebe]

Would be Foreman Frazier all over again. I love Tua, but he's perfectly built for Big Gearge.

[gilgamesh]

Would be Foreman Frazier all over again. I love Tua, but he's perfectly built for Big Gearge.

The Foreman that did that to Frazier was over 20 years younger. 90's George couldn't have done that to 70's Frazier.

[oogiebe]

Would be Foreman Frazier all over again. I love Tua, but he's perfectly built for Big Gearge.

The Foreman that did that to Frazier was over 20 years younger. 90's George couldn't have done that to 70's Frazier.

Not nearly as thorough a shellacking, but he'd beat him up pretty good. There's a reason Tyson didn't fight the big man. A good debate nonetheless.

[gilgamesh]

Would be Foreman Frazier all over again. I love Tua, but he's perfectly built for Big Gearge.

The Foreman that did that to Frazier was over 20 years younger. 90's George couldn't have done that to 70's Frazier.

Not nearly as thorough a shellacking, but he'd beat him up pretty good. There's a reason Tyson didn't fight the big man. A good debate nonetheless.

Tyson would've beaten 90's George too. I do agree though he wouldn't have exactly been thrilled about the idea of a fight where he had to go 12 rounds, and eat some of the heaviest punches of his life in the process of doing it, but I think he'd have won.

Neither Tyson nor Frazier though could've succeeded at the advanced age that Foreman did though. Very few fighters could've. Most guys just don't have the kinda heavy hands Foreman had, and the added Ring IQ that came along with his age helped a lot too.

He definitely learned to fight smarter, not harder. That being said there were a few kinda fighters that I think he would've had to have been the young version of himself to deal with...Frazier and Tyson I think it'd take a young Foreman to deal with.

The closest he came to fighting a guy in that mold as an older fighter was Holyfield...and he didn't win.