i think a 41yr old mccall could beat a 45yr old foreman

[good right hand]

its looks pretty possible for the minor upset, what do you think?

[Sonny's jab]

Has McCall learned to slip a thudding jab in his old age ?

[SteveO]

I could see it.

[Russell]

I could see it.

Same.

Foreman had a lot of power even during his comeback, but as his career progressed he just couldn't pull the trigger, nor was he fast or hand or foot to catch most fighters.

Foreman's three opponents when he was 45 and upwards, after catching a overconfident Moorer who was trading punches with him were Savarese, Schulz and Grimsley.

None of them were iron chinned, nor was Morrison who he fought immediately before facing Moorer.

If he didn't stop any of those four at that time in his career he isn't stopping McCall.

[Bigcat]

I am in agreement also, McCall is one of those guys who no matter of how old he is is stubborn and hard to beat when he is pressed against the wall.. All George brings is power and it would be useless against Oliver, Its skill that wins it for Oliver, he knew how to slip jabs and land combinations and occasionally can look extrordinary.. George was never a great strategist.. Moorer just did a silly thing , he stood in front of a big man like that...

[Charles White]

McCall by decision.

[rekcutnevets]

McCall had a great chin, and may show little effect if punched by Foreman seems to be a common point in this thread. You want to know who else had a great chin? George Foreman. I don't think that McCall would be capable of hurting Foreman either. This is a fight that would probably go the distance.

A 29 year old, reigning champion McCall almost lost to 45 year old Larry Holmes. A 30 year old, still reigning by the skin of his teeth champion McCall did lose to Frank Bruno. I'm not so sure a 30 year old McCall could defeat a 45 year old Foreman.

[Charles White]

A 29 year old, reigning champion McCall almost lost to 45 year old Larry Holmes. A 45 year old Holmes who also happened to be the finest heavyweight boxer in history imo. Hell even if I were McCall, I wouldn't feel shamed in losing to that legend.

[Charles White]

A 45 year old Holmes who also happened to be the finest heavyweight boxer in history imo. Hell even if I were McCall, I wouldn't feel shamed in losing to that legend. By the way, does anybody happen to have this fight on tape. I have always wanted to see it and am pissed that nobody has put it on youtube. Surely it was televised...

[Russell]

A 29 year old, reigning champion McCall almost lost to 45 year old Larry Holmes. A 30 year old, still reigning by the skin of his teeth champion McCall did lose to Frank Bruno. I'm not so sure a 30 year old McCall could defeat a 45 year old Foreman.

And yet McCall did beat that Holmes, the very same Holmes who easily went through a prime Ray Mercer.

Bruno's performance against McCall was the finest of his career and he was still holding on for dear life the last few rounds, almost getting stopped like McCall did in the final round against Akiwande.

[clark]

Foreman wins decision.

[rekcutnevets]

Originally posted by Charles White
I happen to think that a 45 year old Foreman would lose against a 45 year old Holmes, but that is another fight and has nothing to do with the point I am making.

I don't think that Foreman or Holmes were close to being the best of the best when they were at the age of 45. Beating them may have been an accomplishment, but it should have been an almost certain accomplishment for the division's best. A 30 year old McCall was never the best in the division, he merely had a win over one of the division's best fighters. I think that a 30 year old McCall would have had his hands full with a 45 year old Foreman. Handicapping McCall 11 years gives him little chance for victory.

[rekcutnevets]

Originally posted by Russell
And yet McCall did beat that Holmes, the very same Holmes who easily went through a prime Ray Mercer.
Holmes was 3 years older when he faced McCall. 45 year old Holmes may have been cheated against McCall. 42 year old Holmes would have defeated McCall with less dispute.

[Charles White]

I happen to think that a 45 year old Foreman would lose against a 45 year old Holmes, but that is another fight and has nothing to do with the point I am making.

I don't think that Foreman or Holmes were close to being the best of the best when they were at the age of 45. Agreed on both points here. Holmes would win a very easy ud over Foreman in both their primes, and at the age of 45. Both were not among the best at 45, but they were still forces to be reckoned with. They are entitled to full respect.

[Russell]

Holmes was 3 years older when he faced McCall. 45 year old Holmes may have been cheated against McCall. 42 year old Holmes would have defeated McCall with less dispute.

You're aware of how long Holmes would fight on for, right?

[mr. magoo]

I'm not even 100% sold on the idea of a peak McCall beating a 90's Foreman, let alone the McCall that should be banned from fighting today.

Foreman in his comeback had a well polished defense, good jab, powerful right, solid chin and improved stamina due to having a more controlled pace. Of course, I don't think that Foreman is knocking out McCall, but a 90's Foreman did not always have to KO an opponent to win a match. Hell, he was nearly 50 years of age, when he was robbed of a decision against a prime Shannon Briggs. McCall was edged by a 35 year old Tucker who by that point, was moving slower than old people fuck. I think Foreman's jab, defense, ability to work the body, and punching power would keep oliver off him for most of the evening enroute to a 10 or 12 round decision.

[Russell]

Eh, I've heard that the Tucker decision against McCall was a poor one.

[Marciano Frazier]

its looks pretty possible for the minor upset, what do you think?
:huh Because he beat Wallace McDaniel and Kenny Craven?

[DamonD]

Eh, I've heard that the Tucker decision against McCall was a poor one.
Me too, but I've never seen it.

[rekcutnevets]

Originally posted by Russell
You're aware of how long Holmes would fight on for, right?
Yes. I went to watch one of his last 3 fights in person, when he faced James Smith a 2nd time. He was 49 then, and probably capable of taking a 41 year old McCall.

None of this has anything to do with the fact that he was 42 when he fought Ray Mercer.

[Russell]

Me too, but I've never seen it.

Seems almost impossible to find. :bart

[punchy]

By looking at the Holyfield fight I can see George had good stamina at this age even if he didn't look as fit as he was, if anyone was going to test McCall's chin it would be Foreman.
So Foreman wins and maybe a late KO no one can stand in front of big George and McCall might do this late in the fight if no KO a Foreman decision.

[DamonD]

Seems almost impossible to find. :bart
I know a tape trader who has a copy of it...maybe one of these days I should order it to have a look.

McCall tended to be a start slow - finish fast guy in most of his career so maybe a late flurry gave a false impression with Tucker getting enough early rounds in the bank. Or maybe instead it was a bit dodgy. Be interesting to know.

[Titan1]

McCall would get hsi ass handed to him.Foreman would probably make him cry also.

[TheGreatA]

I don't think Foreman would have to rely on his power here. McCall simply doesn't work enough while Foreman kept up the pressure for 12 rounds in many of his later bouts. It would be a tough fight for both but I see Foreman getting the decision.

[Beeston Brawler]

Would any heavyweight in history stop McCall?

Also.... for historians....

When did his chin become legendary?

[TheGreatA]

Would any heavyweight in history stop McCall?

Also.... for historians....

When did his chin become legendary?

Funnily enough, the only fight that he was ever stopped in is the one that's usually brought up when discussing McCall's ability to take punishment. Not for bad reasons since McCall just stood there when Lewis unleashed his best punches on him, to little effect.

He was supposedly never knocked down by a prime Mike Tyson in numerous sparring sessions.

[Beeston Brawler]

Thanks.

It's just something I've wondered.

I mean, he took Bruno the distance, which only one other guy ever did, and Lewis hammered him with allsorts and he was barely stunned.

Given the fact that he wasn't even protecting himself against Lewis, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say that no fighter could ever KO him.

[Arka]

Funnily enough, the only fight that he was ever stopped in is the one that's usually brought up when discussing McCall's ability to take punishment. Not for bad reasons since McCall just stood there when Lewis unleashed his best punches on him, to little effect.
Really? The impression I've been given is that Lewis was slightly holding back.

[lefthook31]

I think George was more clever than Mcall and Mcalls style matches up perfectly for old George. I never saw Mcall look extraordinary technically just kind of a one two stand in front of you guy. George in his old age was clever against one dimensional guys, and I think both have good chins and about the same workrate at this age, but Im going with George on his ring savvy and corner smarts over Mcall.
I know Mcall beat Holmes, but I think George's size and ring savvy keeps Mcall back from pushing the pace which Holmes couldnt do.

[TheGreatA]

Really? The impression I've been given is that Lewis was slightly holding back.

Lewis was definitely confused and cautious but he landed some big ones as well.

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7:25

[lefthook31]

Would any heavyweight in history stop McCall?

Also.... for historians....

When did his chin become legendary?
I think in his gym wars with Tyson and the main reason they used him in sparring, because Tyson was knocking out all his sparring partners. What was so impressive about his chin is that he took the very hardest cleanest shots Ive ever seen. Bruno and Lewis laid some heavy righthands on him and he didnt even flinch.

[lefthook31]

Lewis was definitely confused and cautious but he landed some big ones as well.

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7:25
Man what a sad sight that was. Mcall should have never been cleared for that fight.