Bob Arum, the 93-year-old head honcho of Top Rank, has named George Foreman as the hardest-hitting heavyweight boxer he's ever seen. Arum's opinion carries weight, given his vast experience promoting fights for boxing legends like Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes, and Joe Frazier.
Arum's journey in boxing promotion began in 1960 when he organized Muhammad Ali's heavyweight title defense against George Chuvalo. Since then, he's promoted more than 400 world championship bouts, giving him a unique perspective on the sport's greatest talents.
In a recent interview with Sean Zittel, Arum shared his thoughts on Foreman's exceptional abilities. The veteran promoter praised not only Foreman's punching power but also his ring savvy and defensive skills, which he believes surpassed those of modern heavyweights like Deontay Wilder.
"George Foreman had the hardest punch among heavyweights. He was also very ring savvy and knew how to defend himself, unlike some of today's heavyweights like Wilder. Foreman could also take a punch well."
While Arum acknowledged that Wilder's punching power comes close to Foreman's, he pointed out that Wilder falls short in defensive skills and the ability to absorb punches.
Foreman's punching power left a lasting impression on many opponents. Evander Holyfield once stated that Foreman hit him the hardest, even when Foreman was in his 40s. Other boxers described Foreman's punches as feeling like being hit by a "Mack truck."
What made Foreman's punches so devastating wasn't speed or technical refinement, but rather the sheer mass and leverage he generated. This combination allowed him to end fights with a single blow.
Foreman's career spanned four decades, touching different eras of boxing. He initially retired in 1978 but made a comeback after ten years. In 1994, at the age of 45, Foreman defeated Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight world champion in history.
Hailing from Marshall, Texas, Foreman amassed an impressive record of 76 wins, with 68 of those coming by knockout. The boxing legend passed away last month at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most formidable punchers in heavyweight boxing history.
Arum's tribute to Foreman serves as a reminder of the unique talents that have graced the boxing ring over the years, and how they compare to the current crop of heavyweight contenders.
