Foreman V Lyle best heavyweight fight EVER

[roberto duran legend]

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 .Ron Lyle hit Foreman with everything he had but could not prevail in this back and forth classic .

[marbleheadmaui]

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.

[roberto duran legend]

OK best heavyweight slugfest , 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 .

[Nameless]

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.

[marbleheadmaui]

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?

[Mars_ax]

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.

[awdleyfuturehalloffamer]

"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

[rjj tszyu]

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?

Put him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.

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

[marbleheadmaui]

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?

Put him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.

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]

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

[rjj tszyu]

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?

Put him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.

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]

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.

[marbleheadmaui]

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?

Put him in the current era and I have no doubt he would be a world champion.

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]

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.

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.

[awdleyfuturehalloffamer]

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.

[roberto duran legend]

If Ron Lyle landed that punch against a Klitschko it would be good night vienna

[rjj tszyu]

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.

[Dark Lord Al]

I actually prefer the fight between Mike Moorer and Bert Cooper.