What a fight what a war , this fight had it all , dont know how this fight lasted so long . How george got up the second time is beyond me :o .Ron Lyle hit Foreman with everything he had but could not prevail in this back and forth classic .
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What a fight what a war , this fight had it all , dont know how this fight lasted so long . How george got up the second time is beyond me :o .Ron Lyle hit Foreman with everything he had but could not prevail in this back and forth classic .
I may disagree with your title, but man oh man what a fight. As savage and elemental as the sport gets. My Dad and I were on our feet shouting at the TV for those 5 rounds (it was five wasn't it?). Like you we thought Foreman was all done. Ron Lyle was serious business.
OK best heavyweight slugfest ;D , yes it was 5 rounds , but went so quick it was over in a blink of a eye . A absolute barnstormer , one for the ages .
I believe that if that guy would have not evolved in one of the toughest period for the HW (if not the toughest), he might have been champion. Perhaps not the greatest champion ever but he might have had a shot somewhere.
Drop a 25 year old Ron Lyle into the post Jim Jeffries era or the era between Tunney and Joe Louis or the mid-late 1950's and don't you think he has a real shot?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
One of my favorite HW fights ever, this was a year or so after Foreman lost his title to Ali, talk about showing heart, these were 2 tough muther-fuckers.
Highlights: (humble Howie Cosell calling the action.) ;) the quality of the video could be better, but remember this was 1976.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iojcCJMtRY
"I have never been hit like that! It should have been illegal for someone to get in the ring and punch somebody like that. Ron Lyle's punch was so hard it should have been rated triple XXX.” – George Foreman to CNN/SI on his fight with Ron Lyle
Put him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiDrop a 25 year old Ron Lyle into the post Jim Jeffries era or the era between Tunney and Joe Louis or the mid-late 1950's and don't you think he has a real shot?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
It was a real all time classic fight no doubt, the only fight at HW I have seen in my lifetime (born in '84) that comes close is Holyfield vs Bowe 1. Boxing needs more fights like this, it is what makes the sport so special. I hadn't actually seen this fight until fairly recently (last 5 years) and it wasn't until one of the magazines I buy did a feature on it that I really paid any attention at all. I mentioned it to my dad (who is a huge Foreman fan) and he had a copy. I just remember watching in astonishment and praying that them glory days returned to the HW division. Well I'm still waiting :)
Born in '84? [banging head on desk]Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyuPut him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiDrop a 25 year old Ron Lyle into the post Jim Jeffries era or the era between Tunney and Joe Louis or the mid-late 1950's and don't you think he has a real shot?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
It was a real all time classic fight no doubt, the only fight at HW I have seen in my lifetime (born in '84) that comes close is Holyfield vs Bowe 1. Boxing needs more fights like this, it is what makes the sport so special. I hadn't actually seen this fight until fairly recently (last 5 years) and it wasn't until one of the magazines I buy did a feature on it that I really paid any attention at all. I mentioned it to my dad (who is a huge Foreman fan) and he had a copy. I just remember watching in astonishment and praying that them glory days returned to the HW division. Well I'm still waiting :)
I was a junior in college. Aaaaargh!
The thing is Lyle was fierce, but he was another 6'2 220 pounder with a 75 inch reach. I'm not sure he was so special he could beat the Giants. But he'd beat the hell out of everyone else ;)
I believe around the ideal size for a HW. Similar to Foreman and Ali, not too big that your slow and predictable and big enough to knock a wall down, the current crop are very limited and it shows when they all fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiBorn in '84? [banging head on desk]Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyuPut him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiDrop a 25 year old Ron Lyle into the post Jim Jeffries era or the era between Tunney and Joe Louis or the mid-late 1950's and don't you think he has a real shot?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
It was a real all time classic fight no doubt, the only fight at HW I have seen in my lifetime (born in '84) that comes close is Holyfield vs Bowe 1. Boxing needs more fights like this, it is what makes the sport so special. I hadn't actually seen this fight until fairly recently (last 5 years) and it wasn't until one of the magazines I buy did a feature on it that I really paid any attention at all. I mentioned it to my dad (who is a huge Foreman fan) and he had a copy. I just remember watching in astonishment and praying that them glory days returned to the HW division. Well I'm still waiting :)
I was a junior in college. Aaaaargh!
The thing is Lyle was fierce, but he was another 6'2 220 pounder with a 75 inch reach. I'm not sure he was so special he could beat the Giants. But he'd beat the hell out of everyone else ;)
I agree. The heavyweights are the most fun when they fight like big middleweights. But the Ukranians really present a challenge because they are unusually athletic for giants and they are really excellent at controlling distance. Of course one thing Ron Lyle wouldn't be is fearful. He'd tear-ass into them. Thanks for the conversation, I'm out.Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyuI believe around the ideal size for a HW. Similar to Foreman and Ali, not too big that your slow and predictable and big enough to knock a wall down, the current crop are very limited and it shows when they all fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiBorn in '84? [banging head on desk]Quote:
Originally Posted by rjj tszyuPut him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.Quote:
Originally Posted by marbleheadmauiDrop a 25 year old Ron Lyle into the post Jim Jeffries era or the era between Tunney and Joe Louis or the mid-late 1950's and don't you think he has a real shot?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nameless
It was a real all time classic fight no doubt, the only fight at HW I have seen in my lifetime (born in '84) that comes close is Holyfield vs Bowe 1. Boxing needs more fights like this, it is what makes the sport so special. I hadn't actually seen this fight until fairly recently (last 5 years) and it wasn't until one of the magazines I buy did a feature on it that I really paid any attention at all. I mentioned it to my dad (who is a huge Foreman fan) and he had a copy. I just remember watching in astonishment and praying that them glory days returned to the HW division. Well I'm still waiting :)
I was a junior in college. Aaaaargh!
The thing is Lyle was fierce, but he was another 6'2 220 pounder with a 75 inch reach. I'm not sure he was so special he could beat the Giants. But he'd beat the hell out of everyone else ;)
Mostly all heavyweights were smaller in the past. You would have to compare their average weight, height and reach during their time and as a percentage multiple it to the current average weight. 220 in the 1970's would be around 235 lbs now. 185 pounds back in Marciano's day would be 215 now. Plus increased reach and height.
If Ron Lyle landed that punch against a Klitschko it would be good night vienna :)
Now that I completely agree with. Even as a very old man Foreman could take one hell of a shot.Quote:
Originally Posted by roberto duran legend
I actually prefer the fight between Mike Moorer and Bert Cooper.
If Lennox Lewis landed the uppercut he hit on vitali on either one of these guys theyd probably be out cold ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by roberto duran legend
George had a good chin remember he took about 20 unanswered blows from Holyfield.
But remember Holyfield wasnt what you would call a power puncher at heavyweight. I think it was more his work rate and accumulation that did the damage for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Still had underrated power, he was the first man to drop iron chinned Ray Mercer.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeyBut remember Holyfield wasnt what you would call a power puncher at heavyweight. I think it was more his work rate and accumulation that did the damage for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Oh no doubt, not saying he couldnt punch but I wouldnt class him as a pure power puncher like tyson. He didnt often knock guys out cold with one punch was more my point.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICBStill had underrated power, he was the first man to drop iron chinned Ray Mercer.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeyBut remember Holyfield wasnt what you would call a power puncher at heavyweight. I think it was more his work rate and accumulation that did the damage for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
My point was even being over 40 years old he could still take the many unanswered blows of an undefeated prime heavyweight like Holyfield.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeyOh no doubt, not saying he couldnt punch but I wouldnt class him as a pure power puncher like tyson. He didnt often knock guys out cold with one punch was more my point.Quote:
Originally Posted by ICBStill had underrated power, he was the first man to drop iron chinned Ray Mercer.Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeyBut remember Holyfield wasnt what you would call a power puncher at heavyweight. I think it was more his work rate and accumulation that did the damage for him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master