As WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder knocks down opponents like an unruly child playing with toy soldiers, his stock continues to rise. Casuals are in awe of his power, but more seasoned observers, like former champion George Foreman, have misgivings, while giving Wilder his due.

 

There have been other big punchers who were awkward as all get-out, Rocky Marciano comes to mind, but power is the great equalizer, which is not to diminish skill and finesse, however in short supply these days.

 

Speaking with TMZ Sports, Foreman sought to put the Wilder phenomenon in perspective. He doesn’t rag on the current best heavyweight in the world. The Bronze Bomber’s 42-0-1 record speaks for itself. But the current crop of heavyweights is an inch deep and a mile wide, and with the exception of Tyson Fury, who Wilder fought to a questionable draw, and possibly Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua, there are few fighters equipped to defeat a man his size with his upper body strength.

 

When asked if Wilder is the greatest heavyweight knockout artist of all time, Foreman said, “He’s good, but he hasn’t approached Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson—no, he hasn’t approached that type of recognition yet. No way.

 

“For me, he has to have a performance like Mike Tyson did against Trevor Berbick. Boy, when I saw that in Vegas I thought, ‘This guy’s a nightmare.’ When he comes to a Tyson type knockout of Berbick, then I’ll put him up high. But [not] right now. That Tyson could hit, man.”

 

TMZ asked Foreman where he would rank Wilder in the pantheon of great heavyweights.

 

“He’s a good fighter, and for the first time the heavyweight action is there where it ought to be. But he’s not in the picture of the greatest heavyweights yet. Not enough time. Not enough time at all.”