What if Foreman had never made the comeback?

Question

He's pretty highly rated on most lists of all-time greatest heavyweights - where would he rank if he hadn't beaten Michael Moorer?

Answer 1

He retired with 2 devastating wins over Frazier (by most people ratings, Joe is top ten) also the destruction of Norton and a KO of Lyle. He also fought 5 guys for 3 rounds in one day. He had a loss to Ali (nothing to be ashamed of) and a loss to Young, who was not great but he was a quality counter puncher.

He also has an Olympic gold medal.

All of that is pretty good.  

He's top ten even before the comeback.

Answer 2

he would - at best - be  15 to  20 , but he's top 10 on most lists today.

Answer 3

He would always be ranked ahead of Frazier so he would be ranked in the top ten.  Had he not come back he would always have been haunted by what happened in that Ali fight.