Make sure to follow us on Twitter for updates and announcements. Briggs was on a four-fight win streak with 24 KO wins, and was the taller of the two by 2 cms and also had a 4 cm reach advantage over Foreman. After losing the title, Foreman essentially took a year off in 1974, fighting only exhibition bouts, but he returned to form in 1976 with five convincing winsall of them by KOs or TKOs. [43] Like Foreman's fight with Schulz, the decision was highly controversial, but this time the decision went in favor of Foreman's opponent, with Briggs awarded a majority decision. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Norton was on a one-fight losing streak. For nine rounds, Moorer easily outboxed him, hitting and moving away, while Foreman chugged forward, seemingly unable to "pull the trigger" on his punches. [2] Not to be outdone, Holyfield's manager Dan Duva lampooned Foreman's weight, infamously stating that the fight should be called "The Real Deal" vs. "The Big Meal" and "Some people say George is as fit as a fiddle. Cooney was knocked down twice and Foreman scored a devastating KO. Several great fighters would comment later that in his prime, Foreman was thehardest-hittingfighterin boxing history, according to The Sweet Science. His relatively high profile, however, made a title shot against Moorer, 19 years his junior, a lucrative prospect at seemingly little risk for the champion. A colourful personality in the world of boxing, Foreman had great success as a television spokesperson for a number of products, including an eponymous home grill that was introduced in 1995; it earned him more money (and arguably more fame) than his boxing career. He was a undisputed heavyweight world champion, and has won five world titles at heavyweight. For reasons not clearly known, Foreman refused to fight Tucker and allowed the WBA to strip him of that belt. Foreman went on to win four more fights that year. He defeated Frazier via 2nd round TKO to become the heavyweight champion of the world. He explained that he sensed God asking him to change his life and ways. Foreman defeated Schulz via 12 round majority decision to retain the IBF heavyweight title. [6] Foreman is the oldest to ever win the world heavyweight boxing championship of major honors, and the second-oldest in any weight class after Bernard Hopkins (at light heavyweight). George Foreman's professional boxing career spanned more than 28 years from 1969 to 1997. Foreman resumed professional boxing in 1987 at age 39 and found immediate success. Foreman defeated Lyle via 5th round KO, making a successful comeback from his last loss. Though Foreman was able to stay competitive throughout the fight, Holyfield ultimately won the fight via unanimous decision, winning all three judges scorecards by scores of 116111, 115112, and 117110 (erroneously announced as '117-100" by Michael Buffer) . After 12 rounds, Morrison won a unanimous decision. He is now on a four-fight winning streak, with four back-to-back KO wins. By 1989, while continuing his comeback, Foreman had sold his name and face for the advertising of various products, selling everything from grills to mufflers on TV. Foreman had a life-changing year in 1977. While in the ring, Foreman began to verbally spar with Ali, who was commentating ring-side with Howard Cosell. Morrison was on a eight-fight win streak with 32 KO wins. George Foreman, James Toney, Roberto Duran, who fought for decades and decades . George Foreman, in full George Edward Foreman, (born January 10, 1949, Marshall, Texas, U.S.), American boxer who twice was the world heavyweight champion (1973-74, 1994-95). Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman, billed as The Sunshine Showdown, was a professional boxing match in Kingston, Jamaica contested on January 22, 1973, for the WBA, WBC and The Ring heavyweight championships. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. George Edward Foreman (born January 10, 1949)[2][3] is an American former professional boxer, entrepreneur, minister and author. He was suffering from exhaustion and heatstroke and stated he had a near-death experience. In 1971, Foreman won seven more fights, winning all of them by knockout, including a rematch with Peralta, whom he defeated by knockout in the 10th and final round in Oakland, California, and a win over Leroy Caldwell, whom he knocked out in the second round. With a continuing affinity for the sport, Foreman became a respected boxing analyst for HBO. He is now on a 22-fight winning streak, with six back-to-back KO wins. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. George Foreman vs Gerry Cooney | BLACK HISTORY MONTH FREE FIGHT Roman was not regarded as a top contender, but had managed to beat a few decent fighters such as EBU champion Spain Jose Manuel Urtain, and was ranked the number-seven heavyweight in the March 1973 issue of The Ring. Foreman was sometimes characterized by the media as an aloof and antisocial champion. Frazier was 29 years old with a record of 29-0. For all the details about Foreman's world title wins and defenses refer to "George Foreman World Titles". On November 22, 1997, a 48-year old George Foreman (76-4, 68 KO) fought fellow American boxer Shannon Briggs, who was 25 years old with a record of 29-1. George Foreman: 76 4 0: Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City W-MD. In the third, Foreman pressed forward, with Lyle waiting to counter off the ropes. Foreman was the taller of the two by 8 cms and also had a 19 cm reach advantage. The strategy paid off and he outboxed Foreman from long range. I didn't want him to get into the fight", Foreman said when interviewed years later. On January 24, 1976, a 27-year old George Foreman (40-1, 37 KO) fought fellow American boxer Ron Lyle, who was 34 years old with a record of 31-3-1. Foreman later reflected, "it just wasn't my night". Since ending his 10-year retirement in 1987, Foreman was a perfect 24-0, with 23 of his wins coming via knockout. 1966-1997 debut 1969-07-01 ID# 000090 birth name George Edward Foreman sex male alias Big George nationality USA stance orthodox height 6 3 / 191cm reach 78 / 199cm residence Houston, Texas, USA birth place Marshall, Texas, USA 107 bouts date w-l-d last 6 result sport He had a total of 13 fights that year, winning all of them (11 by knockout). In 1988, he won nine times. He had four previous marriages: to Adrienne Calhoun from 1971 to 1974, Cynthia Lewis from 1977 to 1979, Sharon Goodson from 1981 to 1982, and Andrea Skeete from 1982 to 1985. Foreman lost to Young via 12 round unanimous decision. He was among the very best of his generation and put on some great performances in his fights. George Foreman vs Gerry Cooney | BLACK HISTORY MONTH FREE FIGHT Top Rank Boxing 2M subscribers Subscribe 152K views 11 months ago #GeorgeForeman #BHM As we wrap up our Black History Month. This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 22:35. Foreman finished the fight with a swelling over one eye, but was awarded a controversial majority decision. Lyle beat the count, then landed another brutal combination, knocking Foreman down for the second time. He is now on a 40-fight winning streak, with 24 back-to-back KO wins. [This quote needs a citation] This fight became known as the "Caracas Caper". BoxRec: George Foreman His first defense, in Tokyo, pitted him against Puerto Rican Heavyweight Champion Jos Roman. event bout wiki. Name: George Foreman Alias: Big George Birth Name: George Edward Foreman Hometown: Houston, Texas, USA Birthplace: Marshall, Texas, USA Stance: Orthodox Height: 191cm Reach: 199cm Pro Boxer: Record Amateur Boxer: Record Trainers: Charles "Doc" Broadus, Dick Sadler, Archie Moore, Gil Clancy, Charley Shipes, Angelo Dundee George Foreman Image Gallery March 19, 1988: George Foreman beats Dwight Muhammad Qawi via 7th round TKO. Unable to secure another title opportunity, Foreman retired after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977.Following what he referred to as a religious epiphany, Foreman became an ordained Christian minister. He retired in 1997 at the age of 48, with a final record of 76 wins (68 knockouts) and 5 losses.Foreman has been inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame and International Boxing Hall of Fame. After knocking out Pedro Agosto in four rounds at Pensacola, Florida, Foreman flew to Puerto Rico a day before the fight without giving himself time to acclimatize. Lyle was on a one-fight win streak with 22 KO wins, and was the taller of the two by 1 cm but Foreman had a 6 cm reach advantage over Lyle. After moving to Pleasanton, California, with the help of a supervisor, he began to train. At 46 years and 169 days old, he was the oldest world heavyweight champion in history. Some of Foreman's best fights and notable victories include wins over three Hall-of-Famers (Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton), Michael Moorer, George Chuvalo, Ron Lyle, and Axel Schulz. [51] Freeda had a 51 record as a pro boxer, retired in 2001, and died in 2019 at age 42 in an apparent suicide. Early life [ edit] As a child, Foreman watched his father train and sat ringside when his father was doing color commentary. Foreman then defeated George Chuvalo by technical knockout (TKO) in three rounds. He has held five world titles at the heavyweight weight division, all five of which were lineal championship wins. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Foreman, BlackPast.org - Biography of George Foreman, International Boxing Hall of Fame - Biography of George Foreman, George Foreman - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). (Norton developed a reputation for showing nerves against heavy hitters, largely beginning with this fight.) George Foreman, in full George Edward Foreman, (born January 10, 1949, Marshall, Texas, U.S.), American boxer who twice was the world heavyweight champion (197374, 199495). He lay flat on the canvas as the referee counted him out. He then pointed to a photo of himself on the wall with gloves on and fists up. ", "40 Years Ago Today: Jimmy Young-George Foreman - "He Beat the Devil Out of Me!" Foreman's next title defense, on October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire, against Muhammad Ali, was historic. As such, the two fighters received high payouts, Holyfield was guaranteed $20 million, while Foreman took home a guaranteed $12.5 million. Ali continued to take heavy punishment to the body in exchange for the opportunity to land a hard jolt to Foreman's head. Foreman, who weighed in at 257 pounds, began the contest by marching forward, absorbing several of Holyfield's best combinations and occasionally landing a powerful swing of his own.