How the heck did Foreman lose to Ali in 1974?

Question

Was Ali just smarter than Foreman, a great example of brains over brawn?

Answer 1

Outsmarting him was part of it but Ali had quicker hands than Foreman that night. Ali got hit with very few head shots. Foreman was jabbed with punches and at times Ali would stand in front of Foreman flat footed and land some great shots to Foreman's head. Ali's overall experience won him the fight.

Answer 2

Actually it was overconfidence on the part of George, and an incredible will to win on the part of Ali. Few, if any other boxers could have absorbed the pounding by Foreman Ali took, and George figured (wrongly) that eventually Ali would cave in under the pressure of a sustained attack. Realistically George had the right fight plan, just the wrong fighter to apply it to.

Smarts had little to do with Ali laying on the ropes taking punishment, and George's aggression had everything to do with it. Ali was just the better man that night, he took what George dished out, and when the opportunity arose, Ali instinctively knew not to waste the chance, and he finished like the champion he was. Ali beating Forman was (until Douglas in Tokyo) the biggest upset in heavyweight history. Even the blogbaba thought Ali was in for it.

It wasn't brains over brawn, it was toughness and willingness to absorb punishment over the stamina needed to sustain aggression. And a pretty good right hand by Ali as well.

Answer 3

As he done against Liston, Ali used psychology on Foreman and a great strategy. As a matter of fact, Ali had a strategy agaonst all of his opponents before entering the ring. Against Foreman, he knew if he could survive and take the punishment for 5-6 rounds that Foreman would grow arm weary and would be ready to take out as he would already be exhausted. Ali would lean against the ropes and keep his hands up. He absorbed some really hard shots to the body against Foreman but not too many hard head shots. Of course by round 7 Foreman's great punching power was nullified enabling Ali to go on and win the fight. He simply made Foreman run out of gas and it worked! I always wondered personally why there was never a rematch.

Answer 4

Foreman's growth as a fighter was stunted as he only needed his power to win. Big George lost because it didn't occur to him to change up his tactics from pursuing a KO to winning rounds efficiently. Joe Frazier was doing between round commentary saying "George needs to slow down and take his time". Foreman was running a sprint and didn't realize it was a marathon. Yes, Ali was ALOT smarter, and had many fights in which he had to find a solution during the fight. That said, Ali even admitted that George had him out against the ropes at one point, but Foreman didn't realize it.

Answer 5

You nailed it pretty much. Ali tricked him. Ali was a tough son of and conditioned to go til he died, Foreman never should have chased him like that and fell for the rope a dope. He should have laid back, made Ali come to him. He still might not have won, but at least he would not have got embarrassed by punching himself out and getting KO'ed. Foreman is definately the dope of the rope a dope.

Answer 6

He used the "rope a dope" on Foreman. Ali let him punch himself out and then turned up the heat. I'd say he outsmarted Foreman.

Answer 7

The answer is simple. Ali was the greatest boxer of all time. one of his assets and perils was his ability to absorb tremendous punishment. this enabled him to wear Foreman out. Both boxers proved to be heroes to their community.

Answer 8

Foreman`s edge in that fight was hitting power. He was unable to harness it and use it effictively. Almost all his hooks were roundhouse. Ali could see them a mile away. His speed,agility,and ring experience was more superior.

Answer 9

ALI OUT THOUGHT FOREMAN.

Answer 10

ali out smarted him he was a genius in the ring