What was the greater achievement - Ali knocking out Foreman, or Foreman knocking out Moorer 20 years later?

Question

Ali, at 32, and a 5 to1 underdog, was able to knock out a seemingly invincible, 25 year old George Foreman.
20 years later, Foreman, at age 45, was able to overcome 3 to1 odds, as well as an apparently insurmountable age gap, and stop 26 year old Michael Moorer, becoming the oldest boxing champ ever.

For serious boxing fans only; what, in your opinions, was the greater achievement?

Answer 1

Well sir the Foreman vs Ali fight was two great fighters still in their prime. Yes Foreman seemed invincible but Ali because of his speed, footwork, timing, and toughness outsmarted the powerful Foreman. In a way the outcome did not surprise me because of their styles which is what makes fights. Now Foreman at 45 beating Moorer with one punch after losing every round was a much greater achievement because it's not likely to ever happen again. Nice question sir.

Answer 2

Ali KO'ing Foreman for sure. Pancho has the perfect answer on this one, give him best answer right now. Foreman was considered unbeatable at that point. Moorer, while the odds on favorite against and old Foreman, was never considered unbeatable by any means. And Big George still had thunder in both fists. Probably still does. But now that I really think of it, Ali was Ali, the greatest of all time, so we never should have doubted him. Ali beating anybody should not be considered an accomplishment, but a foregone conclusion. Maybe we should consider which of the two Champs at the time was the biggest idiot. Moorer for not staying away from Foreman's punching power, or Foreman himself for not pacing himself against Ali. Moorer really had no business losing that fight, but Ali probably would have won the Rumble In The Jungle no matter what strategy Foreman may or may not have used. I vote Moorer as the biggest idiot. Ok, I've changed my mind, I pick Foreman's as the greater achievement, but solely on the basis that it was 20 years later that he finally regained the title, and at that age. Now that is an achievement.

Answer 3

That's a great question Brad. I have to say Ali knocking out Big George was the greater achievement because everyone thought Foreman was indestructable at the time Ali beat him. And Foreman had demolished 2 fighters that had beaten Ali in Frazier and Norton. Foreman went through both of them like swiss cheese. So everyone thought the same fate awaited Ali. Then take into consideration the fashion in which he beat George. He really made George look like a fool, got him dead tired, and then knocked him out in 8 rounds. Foreman's KO of Moorer was also a great achievement considering the massive age difference, but we all knew that Foreman still had the power because that's the last thing to go on a fighter, even an aging fighter who skills and reflexes are gone can knock you out if he has the power that George had and he tags you with a solid shot. And while Moorer was a good fighter, he wasn't the terror that the 25 year old Foreman was when Ali beat him in Zaire. And Moorer was beating George easily in my opinion, but his refusal to move away from Foreman's power as his trainer Teddy Atlas was trying to tell him to do was his down fall. He was stubborn and he stood right in front of Big George and he got put to sleep. Both achievements were great, but i give it to Ali's KO of Big George. Terrific question!

Answer 4

Ali vs. Foreman for sure. Pancho said it all! So i'm just going to add this, some people thought Foreman would seriously hurt Ali and actually feared for his safety against George. While Moorer was the favorite against George, (mainly due to the big age difference i think) did anyone really think he would kill George or beat him up very badly? I doubt it very much. I think most people thought he would just outwork the much older, slower fighter and win a decision. I think you have your answer right there. Nice question for sure though!

Answer 5

Ali beats Foreman! I listened to the round by round results to this fight when I was in college...couldn't believe Ali won!

Go rent "When We Were Kings", excellent documentary about this fight.

Kudos also to Foreman for winning but Moorer wasn't as tough.

Answer 6

Foreman beating Moorer was the more greater achievement. Ali was still in his prime when he and Foreman fought. Foreman was old and wasn't expected to win back the belt at age 45.

Answer 7

"The Rumble in the Jungle" was a great fight, and any time Ali fought, at least before he became a punching bag, was awesome entertainment. Before this fight, Foreman suffered an eye cut that delayed the fight a couple of weeks. That worked to Ali's advantage because Ali was too busy doing the social circuit, working out in fancy hotel lobbies and having dinner with the national leaders of Zaire. He got in to much better shape during the delay. In one of his sparring sessions, he actually was punching a body bag. Then he opened his glove and a bird flew out. Ali was much quicker, but did take a punishment when he did the rope-a-dope. But as we all know, Foreman punched himself out. Ali told Angelo Dundee that Foreman was his. Next round, he KO'd him. This fight had it all. Kings, presidents, magic, strategy, 100,000 fans, street riots to see Ali, Foreman looking like he could kill a tiger with his barehands...

"Ali Boombayyy!" (Ali, kill him!) was in my thoughts for months following that fight. By the way, Ali said that after fighting Foreman he pissed blood for 6 months after the fight.

Moorer explified today's modern heavyweights. Slow, pondourous, and not really dedicated to the pugilistic art form. Foreman, in his 50's, could probably still KO most of the heavies today, especially if he caught them with that short, right hand or with his heavy jab. The difference is Ali and Foreman in their primes would have whupped all comers today, without a doubt.

Answer 8

Good question. Its hard to say, both are personal triumphs against great odds. The case for both men is difficult.

Ali was coming up against a younger man, his hand speed wasn't what it used to be, nor was his foot speed. A man who was protrayed and rightfully so as invincible. He used trickery, a sucker punch called an overhead right. That enraged Foreman, being young and impatient he wasted a lot of energy, nervous energy and angry and explosive energy. Foreman never listened to his corner man to use short punches under Ali arms to take the sap out of his legs and hit him in the diaphragm so he can't lift his arms and defend himself. Ali used the rope a dope to tire him out, he grappled with him and talked in his ear. He wasn't afraid and he needed all his confidence to survive. Against a man who could hit like a horse, and raise huge dents in punching bag, (as big as a helmet) he could and did outmusle and overpower even the strongest of men. Lifting Joe Frazier off the canvas with a punch.

Foreman because when he set out on his quest to win the heavyweight championship Ali told him to give up, your too fat. That was from a man who found that something special to win against the odds. He lost to Evander Hollyfield then got another chance. He kept feeding him light jabs and even the commentator said he lost his punch then when he was too tired and hurt form getting banged about he thew a good jab, thinking his follow up had nothing Moorer just stood there then bang all over. The commentators changed their minds of course saying you never lose your punch. He persisted and like Ali overcame insurmountable odds to win.

I really can't pick too close too call. Both men have valid cases.

I wonder what would have happened if they fought a rematch.

Answer 9

Ali vs Foreman. You can feel the two greats slugging each others. The tactics, step used to outdo each other just superb.

Answer 10

Mike Weaver vs John Tate