Did George Foreman Duck Larry Holmes and Did Larry Holmes Duck George Foreman?

The question of whether George Foreman ducked Larry Holmes or vice versa is a topic of debate among boxing fans and historians. Here are some key points to consider:

George Foreman and Larry Holmes: Context

Career Timelines

George Foreman and Larry Holmes were both prominent heavyweights but their careers peaked at different times. Foreman was a dominant force in the early 1970s while Holmes rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s.

The Fight That Never Happened

A highly anticipated match between Foreman and Holmes never materialized during their prime years. This has led to speculation about whether either fighter was unwilling to face the other. The possibility of such a clash has fueled endless debate among boxing enthusiasts.

Foreman's Retirement

Foreman retired after losing to Muhammad Ali in 1974 and did not return to the ring until 1987. By that time Holmes was already established as the heavyweight champion. This significant gap in their careers added to the tension and intrigue surrounding the potential match.

Holmes' Perspective

Holmes has often stated that he was willing to fight Foreman but he felt that Foreman was not interested in such a match during the period when Holmes was champion. Holmes has maintained a steady career, both as a fighter and as an announcer, through his lifetime, contributing to his perception as a fearless and resilient boxer.

Foreman's Perspective

Foreman has also indicated that he was open to fighting Holmes but that circumstances such as promotional issues and timing played a role in preventing the match. Foreman's retirement and subsequent comeback further complicated the prospects of their meeting in the ring.

Conclusion

While both fighters expressed interest in fighting each other at various points, the timing and circumstances of their careers ultimately prevented the match from happening. Therefore, it's not entirely accurate to say that either fighter deliberately avoided the other. Instead, a combination of career timelines, promotional issues, and financial considerations played key roles in this legendary match never materializing.

To call either man fearless is an exercise in poetry and not reality. George feared Liston because he trained with him and knew him. Holmes feared Gerry Coetzee and avoided him for years. They almost had a match, but it fell apart in the last moments. George was champ when Larry was just Ali's sparring partner and not a force in the heavyweight division. When Larry won a crown, George had already retired in 1977. It was just the timing of their careers.

Later, Larry got jobbed and had his title given to Michael Spinks in 1985 and no longer had a title. There was talk of the two when Larry was fighting in the nineties and George was on his comeback trail. Both I think really thought it was not worth the risk in the nineties because the money was not good enough.

The boxing world will always wonder about the potential that was lost, but the sport itself remains richer for the lessons learned from these great fighters' careers.