George Foreman Boxer

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 ·

By Denise I Smithson

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.

Foreman retained his heavyweight title until 1974 when he defended his title against Mohamed Ali, the former champion. This bout was known as "The Rumble in the Jungle" and was fought in Zaire. This was Foremans first defeat in his professional boxing career. After this defeat, Foreman remained inactive throughout 1975.

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.

He never formally retired from boxing but he did stop boxing. He became a minister of a church, devoting himself to his family and the church parishioners. A youth center was opened that bears his name. He continues to give testimonies regarding his conversion experience.

Though he never did formally retire from boxing, he did leave the boxing scene. He became a church pastor, with great devotion to his family and his church members. A youth center was opened in his name, and he continues to speak about his powerful 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.

Other notable business ventures include commercial appearances for Meineke Mufflers, and promoting his ubiquitous George Foreman Grill. In 2004, he added his own line of Big and Tall clothes through Casual Male.

In 1993, he starred in his own sit-com. He was also a judge on the reality series American Inventor. In July of 2008, a reality show called Family Foreman debuted featuring George and his family.

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.

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