SWEET SCIENCE, INDEED

Foreman started stylishly, jabbing Ron Lyle, but after he was down and nearly out he became the old banger

No, the fight did not set boxing back 25 years. Fifteen, maybe. A rusty George Foreman overpowered Ron Lyle in a carnival of knockdowns last Saturday in Las Vegas, and if the cause of scientific boxing was not advanced, a good time was had by all. Foreman had wanted to show that, despite his loss to Ali in Zaire, he could take a punch. He took them by the dozens. A couple of them sent him down twice, and one sliced a three-stitcher inside his lip. But at the end of Round 5, sagging but still slugging, Foreman finally stepped back to let Lyle fall unconscious. So much for the first big one in George's comeback. "Lord," he said, "now I've paid my dues."

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NEIL LEIFER

Floored first, Foreman rose up...

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NEIL LEIFER

...to drop Lyle, who rose up...

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NEIL LEIFER

...to drive Foreman down headfirst.

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NEIL LEIFER

As the bout sank slowly in Round 5, Foreman, though weary, went back to winging punches until Lyle finally wilted away.

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NEIL LEIFER

Down and all out, Lyle was a worthy foe.