Quotes About Power: George Foreman Speaks

In January of 1990, George Foreman, trying to score a match with the heavyweight champion of the world (Mike Tyson), fought a name, Gerry Cooney. Gerry hadn't fought in about two and a half years, after getting obliterated by Michael Spinks. In essence, he was just a name. But Cooney was trying to pull his career back together for one last try, with Hall of Fame trainer Gil Clancy in his corner. Mike Tyson was geared for a fight the following month with Buster Douglas, so Foreman's apparent certainty on beating Tyson for the title got completely turned on its ear, even when he was still on his own winning streak. It would be Cooney's last match. But for George, he was in the middle of his legendary second career, and they were building up his record much like in his first career.

The opponents were fairly careful at this point. Cooney was likely to get knocked out, but because of his size and power, the danger was palpable from the opening bell of a rowdy 2-rounder that left Gerry in a heap. Not before he made an impression on Big George as a puncher, however. The following quote exchange happened between George and David Letterman, when he took his fresh shiner to Late Night. These days, George Foreman's son (Monk) is the boxer in the family and David Letterman is about to end his own historic run, as a talk show icon.

Here are the power quotes:

Foreman: "This is the hardest hitter I've ever been in the ring with. You fight-say, I've had about sixty or more boxing matches, and you only meet three genuine punchers throughout your career. Gerry Cooney, Ronnie Lyle, and a kid I worked with, by the name of Cleveland Williams. And, they hit so hard that it vibrates your body, even if you block it, it just goes right to you."

Letterman: "So, you would say Gerry Cooney was one of the hardest punchers you've ever met in the ring?"

Foreman: "No doubt. He's been-of the three. He hit harder than Joe Frazier with his left hook."

Letterman: "Harder than Joe Frazier?"

Foreman: "Harder."

Letterman: "What about Earnie Shavers?"

Foreman: "I never fought Earnie Shavers. . .Thank goodness."


Everyone knows about Earnie Shavers. But what's interesting is that he mentioned Cleveland Williams in sparring, but not Sonny Liston here, who he also sparred. Also, he doesn't consider Frazier in this instance as one of the three "genuine" punchers he's met in the ring? Then again, maybe he was still suffering from Cooney's left hook! It's always interesting to hear these guys rate their opponents, even if you take some things with a grain of salt.


Full interview currently on Youtube:





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Basement Gym Boxing


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Referee Harry Papacaralambolous Wishes You A Happy Easter With This 6-Punch Combination: GIF Spotlight

Referee Harry Papacaralambolous watches what must have been invisible rabbit punches fired from Tex Cobb on a nearly helpless Earnie Shavers toward the end of their bout. I like to call it an Easter Bunny Combination. It's enough to make even a rabbit lay an egg. Kenny Norton, commentating with Don Dunphy and Gerry Cooney, actually had to point out that they were rabbit punches. But if the ref didn't notice, why should they? The second of August, 1980, on ABC, I believe, and full of The Easter Bunny's favourite hits. Happy Easter to all celebrating from Basement Gym Boxing.


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Chris Algieri VS Emmanuel Taylor - Algieri Proves Ready For A Bigger Name

Emmanuel Taylor in the opening rounds just could not find the next gear to keep up with Chris Algieri. I couldn't help but think of Micky Ward for all the left hook head/left hook body combinations from Algieri. Algieri stayed on the move and firing combinations all night long. By round three Teddy Atlas asks how you could not have Algieri up three rounds to nothing because Taylor hasn't "left the dressing room" yet. In round five, Taylor starts to heat up and Algieri doesn't let him take over but Taylor starts to come back on some cards (not mine) when he gets going. But Algieri's got some finesse to him at this level, that's for sure. He was too skilled for Taylor, as I saw the fight. There was nothing Taylor was going to do to get him.

One of the best heavyweight contenders of the 1980's, Gerry Cooney is in the audence tonight, it's announced in the sixth round. Cooney does an interview praising the new hometown (Huntington, NY, USA) fighter and Gerry looks and sounds healthy and happy. It's good to see. Taylor started to find more success pressuring Algieri in the second half of the fight but mostly couldn't pin him down and land more than one flush shot at a time. Algieri is borderline showboating with his movement by round seven. I think he's saying to Taylor "I'm the athlete here." the best way he knows. Taylor's letting them go but very few are finding the mark. It looks like you've got to set up some traps to wage war with Algieri and Taylor doesn't have them in his bag of tricks.

Algieri was still in control through the later rounds. Not for lack of trying by Taylor. Once he heated up he gave it a very good go. Taylor started out red hot in the final round and tried to lay it out on the line early in the round. Algieri took some good shots but didn't let the action get away too far. He finished strong enough with some of his own bombs. The fight ends with a good round from both men but it was Algieri's night, no doubt. Teddy says it's "Not a great fight but an interesting fight." and I agree. I enjoyed it. It didn't have very stiff competition on this card but it was a good main event to save the night. Both guys finished very strong and I really appreciate that.

I don't know how Algieri looks with a guy that can meet him step for step but I didn't think this one was too close. I definitely want to see this Chris Algieri again. I would be very intrigued to have him in against someone like Breidis Prescott at this juncture. Taylor will have to go back to the drawing board a bit here but I certainly wouldn't scoff at another ESPN card with him in it either. Algieri's now got Taylor, Arnaoutis and Jargal on his undefeated record. I think it's time we see him in with a bigger name after he's passed these solid tests.

Teddy Atlas' unofficial scorecard:
Total score: 97-93, for Algieri

Algieri Rounds: 1-3 & 7-10
Taylor Rounds: 4, 5 & 6



Work that bag,
Basement Gym Boxing