George Foreman
His amateur career came to a close with an amazing record of 27-0. He turned professional in 1969, winning 12 fights that year with 11 of them won by knockout. He continued his quest towards claiming the undisputed heavyweight title during 1970 when he won every one of his twelve fights that year. Again, eleven of his victories were by knockout. Throughout 1971, George Foreman claimed seven more victories. By this time, he had amassed an impressive 32-0 record and was considered the number one challenger by both the WBC and the WBA. Foreman continued his string of victories adding five more victories in 1972. Each of these victories was won within three rounds.
In 1973, Foreman challenged Joe Frazier, the undisputed and undefeated world heavyweight champion, in a bout known as the Sunshine Showdown. The Sunshine Showdown was the first broadcast by HBO boxing. Foreman knocked Frazier down six times in just two rounds to claim the championship title by knockout, becoming one the biggest upsets in boxing history. Many fight fans will never forget the final blow, an uppercut that was delivered with such force that Frazier was lifted off his feet before crashing to the canvas one final time.
In a historic 1973 match up, Foreman fought Joe Frazier, the undisputed and undefeated heavyweight world champion. In a bout called the Sunshine Showdown, broadcast by HBO Boxing, Foreman knocked Frazier to the canvas six times in only two rounds to win the championship by knockout. This became one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. Many boxing fans will always remember that final blow " a forceful uppercut that lifted Frazier completely off his feet before crashing down for the last time.
Foreman kept his heavyweight title until 1974, when he was pitted against the former heavyweight champion, Mohamed Ali. This bout, dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle was fought in Zaire. This match marked Foremans first defeat in his entire professional boxing career. Foreman disappeared from the boxing scene for the rest of 1975 in the face of this crushing defeat.
Foreman returned to boxing with a comeback in 1976. He continued until 1977 when he experienced what seemed to be a near death experience. After losing to Jimmy Young in a difficult 12 round decision in Puerto Rico, he began to feel sick in his dressing room. He was terrified by this sudden illness, and asked God for help. Foreman says God asked him to change his life, prompting Foreman to become a born again Christian. After dedicating his life to Christianity, Foreman remarked that Jimmy Young quite literally beat the devil out of him.
Foreman stopped boxing, even though he never formally retired. He became a church minister, devoting his life to the care of his family and his church members. A youth center bearing Foremans name was opened, and Foreman continues to actively testify about his conversion experience.
After ten years out of the ring, he made a second comeback. In 1988, he announced that he would return to boxing at the age of 38. He wanted to show people that age should not be considered a barrier in regards to achieving goals. During 1988, he won eight fights, although none of his challengers was a rated contender. Foreman continued with a string of victories as well as some notable defeats.
Foreman made a second comeback in 1988 after ten years away from the ring. He announced that he would be returning to boxing at the unheard of age of 38. His goal was to prove that age did not have to be a barrier to achieving ones dreams. That year, he went on to win eight fights, though none of his challengers were rated contenders. Foreman won a string of memorable victories, as well as some notable defeats.
Foreman went on to break two boxing records when he regained the heavyweight title after successfully challenging Michael Moorer in Las Vegas on November 5, 1994. He not only became the oldest boxer to win the world heavyweight title; he also broke the record for longest interval between championship wins. He kept boxing until his second retirement in 1999.
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.
In 1993, he starred in his own sitcom. Hes also been a judge on American Inventor, a TV reality series. Most recently, Foreman appeared in a July 2008 reality show titled Family Foreman which featured George and his family.
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.