George Foreman(1991) vs. Riddick Bowe(1992)

[AnthonyJ74]

The Foreman that fought Holyfield against the Bowe that fought Holyfield.....How do you see it?

I think this would be an awfully painful fight for George. He'd either get stopped or beaten badly en route to a lopsided decision loss!

[Lostmykeys]

Old Foreman vs Prime Bowe.

Foreman is one of my favourite fighters but I dont see him hanging in there with a prime Bowe. Bowe was close in size to Foreman and could bang it out as well. I'd say a late rounds TKO for Bowe after Foreman has faded a bit.

[Duodenum]

I think George would jab his way to a decision win in this one. Bowe was really a big infighter. Foreman wouldn't have allowed him inside. George repeatedly shoved steroid inflated Tommy Morrison to the outside like a rag doll. George's jab connected more often than not, at this stage of his career, and Bowe was a huge target.

Not only would Foreman have been stronger physically, but he would have been the shorter man in this one, with the lower center of gravity. Against Cooney, he showed he could be perfectly comfortable filling this unusual role. His cross armed defense would have afforded him more protection than usual. Bowe would be in an unfamiliar position of being forced to give ground.

Most of the excitement in this one would have been over the potential for an abrupt ending at any time, but at the end, it would have been a fairly pedantic points win for the lumbering oldster, moving incessantly forward behind his reincarnated jab.

[AnthonyJ74]

I think George would jab his way to a decision win in this one. Bowe was really a big infighter. Foreman wouldn't have allowed him inside. George repeatedly shoved steroid inflated Tommy Morrison to the outside like a rag doll. George's jab connected more often than not, at this stage of his career, and Bowe was a huge target.

Not only would Foreman have been stronger physically, but he would have been the shorter man in this one, with the lower center of gravity. Against Cooney, he showed he could be perfectly comfortable filling this unusual role. His cross armed defense would have afforded him more protection than usual. Bowe would be in an unfamiliar position of being forced to give ground.

Most of the excitement in this one would have been over the potential for an abrupt ending at any time, but at the end, it would have been a fairly pedantic points win for the lumbering oldster, moving incessantly forward behind his reincarnated jab.

I just don't see George being competitive in this one. George had a good jab, but Bowe used his better. Bowe was alot quicker, more mobile, and would have a height and reach advantage. Foreman blowing out Cooney is one thing, but being in the ringwith a big, strong, active and well-schooled fighter is an entirely different matter. Cooney was inactive and fragile; Bowe was not. Bowe probably had the punching power edge on Foreman as well.

[unitas]

I think George would jab his way to a decision win in this one. Bowe was really a big infighter. Foreman wouldn't have allowed him inside. George repeatedly shoved steroid inflated Tommy Morrison to the outside like a rag doll. George's jab connected more often than not, at this stage of his career, and Bowe was a huge target.

Not only would Foreman have been stronger physically, but he would have been the shorter man in this one, with the lower center of gravity. Against Cooney, he showed he could be perfectly comfortable filling this unusual role. His cross armed defense would have afforded him more protection than usual. Bowe would be in an unfamiliar position of being forced to give ground.

Most of the excitement in this one would have been over the potential for an abrupt ending at any time, but at the end, it would have been a fairly pedantic points win for the lumbering oldster, moving incessantly forward behind his reincarnated jab.

george JAB HIS WAY to a decision?? bowe had a much faster, simply better jab.

he would have jabbed the crap out of slow footed george. by mid rounds, the doctor stops it.

bowe tko 6

[Duodenum]

I could buy Bowe getting the better of George, but only if Big Daddy outmaneuvers him. He shouldn't be attempting to back Foreman up, and he shouldn't attempt to take the fight inside, where George could use his physical strength. Tommy Morrison provided the blueprint for beating Foreman at that stage of George's career.

Above all, Bowe should box for the decision win. If he hurts Foreman without taking him out, George would battle back with a dangerous sense of urgency. Lull him into sleepwalking, and it could be an easy points win. Go for the kill, and Bowe's on his own.

[ironchamp]

I could buy Bowe getting the better of George, but only if Big Daddy outmaneuvers him. He shouldn't be attempting to back Foreman up, and he shouldn't attempt to take the fight inside, where George could use his physical strength. Tommy Morrison provided the blueprint for beating Foreman at that stage of George's career.

Above all, Bowe should box for the decision win. If he hurts Foreman without taking him out, George would battle back with a dangerous sense of urgency. Lull him into sleepwalking, and it could be an easy points win. Go for the kill, and Bowe's on his own.

George's endurance was dismal at his stage of his career even though he paced himself better. Bowe was an elite fighter who can fight well on the outside as well as the inside. Morrison fought him that way because he was cautious of George's power and used a stick and more gameplan (being a chinny fighter probably motivated it) and apparently because they were friends.

Micheal Moorer was right in front of him for 9 rounds and was pretty successful I believe that Bowe was more durable and his ability to fight on the inside as well as competant outside ability I have no reason to see how 90s Foreman can beat him.

[bigG]

bowe by late round stoppage with an exhausted foreman out on his feet......and im a huge foreman fan, but bowe at this point just had too much of everything for george..

[Duodenum]

As regards my quixotic isolation in picking Big George, I am mindful of the motto on the bottle of fine chardonnay wine I got for my Dad this past Father's Day labeled OLD FART:

Be bold-go for the Old! (Remember, age and treachery will always defeat youth and skill!)

[ironchamp]

Remember, age and treachery will always defeat youth and skill!

Only when it comes to strategizing, not necessarily when it comes to executing.

[Brighton bomber]

Foreman's lack of speed and mobility against most opponents would not be a factor against Bowe as he would stand right in front of Foreman for long periods. Foreman also hit hard enough to hurt Bowe and I don't think this would have been as easy a win for Bowe as many would expect. Bowe could very well find himself in a very tough fight as his defence is very poor and it is inevitable with his style that he'd get hit.

Having said that, the Bowe who beat Holyfield would win on points by simply outworking Foreman over the distance in a suprisingly competitive match up.

[JohnBKelly]

Bowe had one big weakness he wasn't as tough as his size suggested Lewis beat the crap out of him at the Olympics and Golota destroyed Bowe with some good old fashioned thuggery.

In 92 Bowe had beaten Holyfield but nobody else who really hit him back hard. The pattern of this fight would be set by Bowe's reaction to the first of Foreman's bombs that landed. If Foreman hurts him then Bowe would run making it a very different fight that George would find hard to win as Bowe endeavoured to keep him at long range.

If Bowe absorbs Foreman's power early and moves inside then George would have a decent chance of breaking Bowe up.

[godking]

Bowe maybe and that is only because he has the chin to take foremans punches.

People seem to have forgotten that Bowe had no defense and was outjabbed by ANYONE who threw a jab at him.

In an era with a large number of great punchers Bowe avoided all of them.

[ChrisPontius]

I think George would jab his way to a decision win in this one. Bowe was really a big infighter. Foreman wouldn't have allowed him inside. George repeatedly shoved steroid inflated Tommy Morrison to the outside like a rag doll. George's jab connected more often than not, at this stage of his career, and Bowe was a huge target.

Not only would Foreman have been stronger physically, but he would have been the shorter man in this one, with the lower center of gravity. Against Cooney, he showed he could be perfectly comfortable filling this unusual role. His cross armed defense would have afforded him more protection than usual. Bowe would be in an unfamiliar position of being forced to give ground.

Most of the excitement in this one would have been over the potential for an abrupt ending at any time, but at the end, it would have been a fairly pedantic points win for the lumbering oldster, moving incessantly forward behind his reincarnated jab.
Old Foreman outjabbing Bowe? He was Holyfield's punching bag for 10 out of 12 rounds, how is he going to beat Bowe who handled the same Holyfield comfortably?

Old Foreman cannot hang with the big boys of the 90's.. Lewis, Tyson, Holyfield and Bowe. He basically went 50/50 with fringe contenders. I think Bowe is not as good as many people make him out to be, but in my opinion he's certainly good enough to beat an old, slow Foreman.

I know you think very low of any 12 round fighter, but i suggest you watch film of Bowe in 1992 and Foreman in 1991 AND realise that Foreman never fought 15 rounds!

[ChrisPontius]

If you turn off capslock i'll actually go and read your argument.

[MrFoFody]

Yes people tend to overrate Bowe based on him defeating Holyfield. I guess you can say Bowe was Holyfields Douglas. Decent skills, power, stamina when motivated but never truly had the fire. He was never truly a great fighter, just look at how an equally big man with skills(Golota) handed him back to back beatings from which he never recovered. And I don't want to hear that Bowe was "past it" because those two fights happened within a years time of handily defeating Holyfield (TKO8). If he would have fought Foreman, I would expect Bowe to try and go toe to toe as that was all he knew. He may have had a jab but his desire to brawl would overcome him and he would be there for Foreman to land. And if Golota had the power to drop him, Foreman would surely KO him. :!:

[hobgoblin]

Three solid criteria for being a great fighter: (1) having the skills and physical attributes to be a great fighter (2) beating a great fighter (3) showing the strategic / courageous mentality to be a champion

Bowe showed all 3 and he really hit it with (2). beating prime holyfield is a BIG deal. no one but bowe could do it. even tyson couldn't beat a past his prime holy.

bowe was definitely a great fighter. big george needs to avoid the big 3 - old george would not be able to outjab bowe - who yes did like to fight inside - but he could be outside too. great outside fighter would outdo bowe - but not old george.

[Muchmoore]

Bowe wins this by decision. He gets wobbled maybe a few times but takes it by clear UD.

[rekcutnevets]

At first, I thought Bowe's youth and work rate would be a factor in this fight. After taking a moment to watch it in my mind, something different played out.

Bowe is not quick on his feet. He may walk around, but how often do you see him on his toes? Holyfield stood flatfooted against Bowe in the first fight. Holyfield barely won the 2nd, and he fought a smart fight that time. The difference is, Holyfield cannot push Bowe around. George can.

Bowe's jab would not be a huge factor against George. Bowe's jab is overrated. Holyfield, who was shorter, could out jab him. Golata could out jab him. I don't know about George being able to dance around and match jabs with Bowe, but George walking to a flat footed fighter behind a jab is different. It's not like George is going to stand in ring center and jab with Bowe. George is going to come forward behind his jab, like an army using a battle ram to break a gate. He will wobble Bowe, at times, once he is on the inside.

The problem for Foreman is going to be how tough Bowe is when he gets to him. Foreman will be able to get Bowe's attention, maybe even make him "do the dance." Bowe was very tough, though. Remember the 2nd fight with Golata? Golata was the one trying to quit on his stool shortly after dropping Bowe. Had it not been for Bowe's 2nd fight with Golata, I would have sworn Holyfield just couldn't stop Bowe in their 3rd fight because Evander was tired. I have since changed my mind. Bowe had a ton of heart inside the ring. He just didn't have a great work ethic in the gym for every fight, I suppose.

Foreman would get to Bowe at times, take Bowe's jab away, and push Bowe around on the inside. Bowe would just be too active for the old man.

Bowe by decision. I almost talked myself out of it, but I eventually worked myself back to my original thought.

[fists of fury]

Against the better fighters of the division, Foreman's lack of speed was his achilles heel.
It would be no different here.
If the stamina challenged and chinny Tommy Morrison could outbox Foreman, Bowe would have a field day with the old man.

[bigG]

just as i feel tysons style is made for a big george victory......ahem.......stands back, ducks....i feel that bowe is hand made to win a competitive at times match with hard punches from both guys....both may be stunned in this match up, particularly when bowe deviates from his hit n run game plan..which he would first time he got tagged...bowe had a tendency to brawl, but i think his superior handspeed and infighting even give him the edge over big g here.....bowe by close but unanimous decision or late rounds tko......

[4eyes]

for some reason I like George in this one if not then Bowe in a suprisingly competitive SD

[DamonD]

Against the better fighters of the division, Foreman's lack of speed was his achilles heel.
It would be no different here.
If the stamina challenged and chinny Tommy Morrison could outbox Foreman, Bowe would have a field day with the old man.
Fair enough, but then Morrison fought in a way against Foreman that Bowe would never, and perhaps could never do.

For all the plaudits of his boxing ability, Bowe was never a stick 'n' move guy. He liked to go into the trenches and look to knock guys out, rather than do what might be less exciting but smarter.

For me, it's whether Old Foreman can absorb enough damage to be able to get his own licks in. He showed big durability during his 'second career', but on the other hand you're not gonna be allowed to continue if your eyes are swollen shut...

[MrSmall]

Bowe UD