George Foreman Boxer
George Foreman
George Foreman is a household name with a long and storied career. He not only has the distinction of being pegged as one of the top 25 boxers of all time, he was also the oldest boxer to win a heavyweight title. A man of diverse talents, hes also an ordained Christian pastor with his own church, and an accomplished businessman in his own right.
He achieved an astounding record of 27-0 in his amateur career before turning professional in 1969. In his first year as a professional boxer, he won 12 fights, 11 of which were by knockout. He continued his quest for an undisputed heavyweight title in 1970 after winning all twelve of his fights that year. Just like the prior year, 11 of those victories were by knockout. During 1971, George Foreman earned seven more victories and had attained an astonishing 32-0 record. The WBC and WBA both considered him the number one challenger. Foreman continued his winning streak with an additional five victories in 1972. All of these victories were won in three rounds.
In the 1973 Sunshine Showdown ” a bout televised by HBO Boxing ” Foreman was up against Joe Frazier, the reigning undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. In this defining match, Foreman knocked Frazier down six separate times in only two rounds to earn the championship title by knockout. This event was one of the greatest upsets in the history of boxing, and many fans will always remember that final blow ” an uppercut that Foreman delivered with such impact that Frazier was actually lifted off his feet before slamming to the canvas for the final time.
Foreman kept his heavyweight title until his bout with former heavyweight champion Mohamed Ali in 1974. This bout was dubbed the Rumble in the Jungle and took place in the African country of Zaire. Ali defeated Foreman for the first time in Foremans professional career. Foreman was inactive for the rest of 1975 after this crushing defeat.
In 1976, Foreman made his comeback. He continued fighting until he experienced what he describes as a near death experience in Puerto Rico in 1977. Foreman described becoming suddenly and deathly ill in his dressing room after losing a match to Jimmy Young in a 12 round decision. He was terrified by this sudden illness, and turned to God for help. Foreman recounts that God asked him to change his ways, and Foreman became a devout, born again Christian. Foreman jokes that Jimmy Young literally knocked the devil out of him.
He has a large family, ten children, five boys, and five girls. He named all five of his sons George. In order of age they are George Jr., George III, George IV, George V and last but not least George VI.
Foreman is the father of a large family of ten children, including five boys and five girls. Each of Foremans sons is named George. From eldest to youngest, they are George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and of course, George VI.
In 1994, Foreman regained the heavyweight title when he challenged Michael Moorer on November 5 in Las Vegas. With this victory he broke two records; the oldest fighter to ever win the world heavyweight title as well as breaking the record of the longest interval between championships. He continued boxing until his second retirement in 1999.
In 2003, Foreman was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and was named as the ninth greatest puncher of all time.
George Foreman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003. He was ranked as the ninth greatest fighter of all time.
He starred in his own sit-com in 1993, was a judge on a realty series, American Inventor. In July of 2008 a reality show, Family Foreman, starring George and his family premiered.
He has also published four books; all related to his life experiences. These books are sure to be interesting reading considering the interesting life George Foreman has led thus far.
Foreman has published four books, all of which talk about his life experiences. Given the storied life Foreman has lived so far, these books are sure to be interesting reading.
