George Foreman
“Big George”
Titles & honours
- Olympic Gold (1968)
- WBA / WBC Heavyweight Champion (1973–1974)
- WBA / IBF Heavyweight Champion (1994)
Biography
Born Marshall, Texas in 1949 and raised in poverty in Houston, George Foreman won super heavyweight gold at Mexico 1968 and turned pro the next year. In January 1973, he destroyed undefeated Joe Frazier in two rounds — six knockdowns — to win the world title. He lost it to Muhammad Ali in 'The Rumble in the Jungle' (October 1974) by 8th-round KO. Foreman retired in 1977 after a near-death experience in the dressing room following a loss to Jimmy Young; came back ten years later at age 38, and at age 45 in November 1994 he reclaimed the WBA / IBF heavyweight title by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round — the oldest heavyweight world champion in history. Retired definitively 1997 at age 48. Became a successful entrepreneur with the George Foreman Grill.