Great amateur boxer who never would have had a chance at title if it were not for Castro and the Olympics. He never could have stood toe to toe with Ali or Joe. As far as Foreman goes, all Olympic fights are short, 4 rounds maximum which was Foreman’s forte.
It was distance George couldn’t take, as Ali proved in his rope a dope fight that wore foreman down. Truth is, Ali’s problems today stem from him taking everything King George had to offer. When George wore himself out by punching Ali on the ropes, Ali danced ans dropped the big man.
Only one man in history would have ever beat Ali in a prime against prime fight, Rocky Marciano. Rocky was used to taking a beating like Ali did against George, but Rocky did it while fighting toe to toe in every fight. He never did it while leaning against a rope to tire the opponent out as Ali did his last great comeback fight. Yes, Rocky was the original Italian Stallion that could take the best from the best and survived it all as the only undefeated boxer in history.
However, never ever compare the commie to Ali. Because long before he was Ali, he was Cassius Clay, and there ain’t never been a greater amateur fighter in the history of boxing. I will never fall for the story that Teofilo Stevenson would have been one of the great ones if he had the chance to go pro. His greatness is and always will be compared to the amateurs he boxed.
For everyone who thinks he would have been a great one if he turned pro, I suggest you study the film and compare his fights to the true greats. Stevenson was nothing but an amateur, and Castro knew it. You don’t think Castro would have loved to see his boxer beat the American pros? get real, he would have relished it, but he and hi people knew that Teofilo was an amateur and would not last two rounds.
I think the same thing would have happened to Marciano who was smaller than Liston. He wouldn't have gotten close. Jersey Joe whipped Rocky for 14 rounds, but couldn't stay away the entire fight. But Ali was a lot faster than Jersey Joe.
Very well reasoned. Will just mention that much later in his career Foreman became a master strategic fighter and could go the distance to win. Against lesser opponents, but then he was 50 in his last win.