Jersey Joe Walcott vs. George Foreman

[Kid McCoy]

It is the start of a pattern that would haunt Foreman throughout his first career. Big George never improved his stamina or pacing(it may have got worse) and counter punchers continued to hurt and frustrate him.

A young, poorly conditioned and trained Walcott getting Koed early by the likes of Abe Simon doesn't really foreshadow a glaring weakness that would trouble him throughout his career. During his peak run, Walcott would go on to defeat or make a good account of himself against bigger punchers like Lee Q Murray, Elmer Ray, and Joe Louis.

Yet you cut Foreman no slack for struggling with (but still beating) an experienced and slick operator in his first year as a pro. Foreman turned up in San Juan a day before the Young fight out-of-shape and without acclimatising, expecting an easy three rounder. His own fault, of course, but it should be taken into account.

In pointing out Foreman's weaknesses it's worth bearing in mind that Walcott was not exactly invulnerable either. On occasions he could be out-boxed and KO'd, and they can't all be explained away. Rex Layne, for instance, upset him just before one of the Charles rematches, and he wasn't underfed that night.

[Thunder Lips]

Yet you cut Foreman no slack for struggling with (but still beating) an experienced and slick operator in his first year as a pro. Foreman turned up in San Juan a day before the Young fight out-of-shape and without acclimatising, expecting an easy three rounder. His own fault, of course, but it should be taken into account.

In pointing out Foreman's weaknesses it's worth bearing in mind that Walcott was not exactly invulnerable either. On occasions he could be out-boxed and KO'd, and they can't all be explained away. Rex Layne, for instance, upset him just before one of the Charles rematches, and he wasn't underfed that night.

Nobody is perfect night in and night out. But I'm not hand picking Foreman's worst nights to make him look bad and that should be obvious. If I was matching up Foreman with Marciano say, I could give a flying **** if he struggled against Peralta or not. He crushed Frazier and Kirkman and that should be getting the most attention.

I'm looking at style match ups and if Foreman struggled against counter/movers at every point during his first career we have little choice but to consider what we have in this matchup. Foreman nuking Frazier and Norton is impressive but not nearly as revelant in this instance as to how he responded to Young, Ali, Peralta, and even Lye's counter punching and movement. Sure he didn't always lose and there are always excuses but he clearly had problems beyond experience and outside circumstances when he had to face fighters like this. Sorry, but I think there is an obvious pattern that should be addressed.

"Look how he handled Frazier and Lyle, they said; look how he shortened his punches, they went on. Sure, how else are you going to hit a guy who is in your face trying to pull out your wisdom teeth? “Both those guys are easier to hit than a heavy bag,” Young said a few days before the fight. “Foreman still cannot punch when he has to chase somebody.”"


I'm not sure there is footage of the Layne/Walcott match up but I can see where he might have struggled. Layne was a durable highworkrate Chuvalo like swarmer who also gave the slick Ezzard Charles tough fights and walked through Satterfield to stop him late.

[TheGreatA]

Yet you cut Foreman no slack for struggling with (but still beating) an experienced and slick operator in his first year as a pro. Foreman turned up in San Juan a day before the Young fight out-of-shape and without acclimatising, expecting an easy three rounder. His own fault, of course, but it should be taken into account.

In pointing out Foreman's weaknesses it's worth bearing in mind that Walcott was not exactly invulnerable either. On occasions he could be out-boxed and KO'd, and they can't all be explained away. Rex Layne, for instance, upset him just before one of the Charles rematches, and he wasn't underfed that night.

Peralta was experienced in dealing with sluggers such as George Foreman. He drew with Bonavena and Ron Lyle as well, a really slick if under-sized heavyweight.

Foreman toughed it out though. The rumour goes that Foreman's trainer **** Saddler said after the 8th that the next round will be the last which made Foreman go out and waste all of his energy in the 9th, thus looking like a spent fighter in the 10th.

The rematch was probably Foreman's greatest showing of late round punching power during his first career as Foreman was able to stop Peralta in the 10th round of the fight.

[Southpaw Stinger]

Peralta was experienced in dealing with sluggers such as George Foreman. He drew with Bonavena and Ron Lyle as well, a really slick if under-sized heavyweight.

Foreman toughed it out though. The rumour goes that Foreman's trainer **** Saddler said after the 8th that the next round will be the last which made Foreman go out and waste all of his energy in the 9th, thus looking like a spent fighter in the 10th.

The rematch was probably Foreman's greatest showing of late round punching power as Foreman was able to stop Peralta in the 10th round of the fight.

And breaking Peralta's arm(s) in the process I believe.

[res]

Like I said, Walcott won't make it further than the opening seconds of the first round, so don't disagree with me here mate.



Against Ali he was up at 9 so that's incorrect. In the second fight against Frazier he did get stunned a few times by the left hook. I think Foreman could be ko'd but one needs a stellar chin first.

Oh O.k. I misunderstood you, I thought the "lad" that "wouldn't make it" was Foreman.

[Thunder Lips]

Does anyone know if there is any footage of Foreman/Peralta II? Would be a very interesting match. From what I read, Peralta got stopped on the ropes. It is young Foreman's latest stoppage on record. Foreman didn't really do bad against Peralta in their first outing either. It is probably the most active I've seen him chase somebody down with his jab .

[Ascended]

Jersey the best mover of the the black and white era before ali came gives a tough match cause he was like a dempsey but more flashy and more polished but just as jack was a lhw he gets koed

[shawnkemp804]

a 6'3 230 pound modern heavyweight in George Foreman vs a 6'0 190 pound fighter in Jersey Joe Walcott. Al Ettore a 160 to 190 pound fighter knocked Walcott out. Tiger Jack Fox a 170-180 pound fighter knocked Walcott out. Abe Simon knocked out Walcott not to mention the other random people who beat Walcott like Johnny Allen, Joey Maxim, Violent Elmer Ray, ect. George Foreman would steam roll Walcott.

[Ivich]

a 6'3 230 pound modern heavyweight in George Foreman vs a 6'0 190 pound fighter in Jersey Joe Walcott. Al Ettore a 160 to 190 pound fighter knocked Walcott out. Tiger Jack Fox a 170-180 pound fighter knocked Walcott out. Abe Simon knocked out Walcott not to mention the other random people who beat Walcott like Johnny Allen, Joey Maxim, Violent Elmer Ray, ect. George Foreman would steam roll Walcott.

Walcott weighed 185lbs when Fox ko'd him.
Fox scored 91 kos many over good sized heavyweights.
Walcott beat Ray twice once by a one punch ko.
Ettore weighed 191lbs when he beat Walcott.
You do talk some nonsense.

[QueensburyRules]

Does anyone know if there is any footage of Foreman/Peralta II? Would be a very interesting match. From what I read, Peralta got stopped on the ropes. It is young Foreman's latest stoppage on record. Foreman didn't really do bad against Peralta in their first outing either. It is probably the most active I've seen him chase somebody down with his jab .

- - Though you being long gone, yes, seen both fights and perplexed by the concept that George struggled when he pounded the tricky durable Peralta both fights, getting the KO in the 2nd.

It is there where the roots of prejudice against sluggers arise when a slugger fails to KO while beating up his opponent. Boxers never suffer not getting the Decision when they manage to KO their opponents. Peralta finished at 99-9-9, an outstanding record that saw him school Lyle with a draw in their first encounter.

He made them American studs work for their pay, yupsir...