George Foreman
George Foreman has become a recognized name as a result of his lengthy and eventful boxing career. He not only has the distinction of being recognized as one of the top 25 boxers of all time, but he also became the oldest fighter to win a heavyweight title. In addition to his professional boxing career, he pastors his own church and is an accomplished businessman.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Foreman was named the ninth greatest puncher of all time in 2003, when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Foremans other notable business ventures include commercial appearances for Meineke Mufflers, and promoting his own George Foreman Grill. In 2004, he started marketing his brand of Big and Tall clothing through Casual Male.
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.
About the Author:
Looking for sports information? Check out http://nothingbutsports.info for the lastest news. http://nothingbutsports.info/
Get all the information and photos:: http://coringa.info/sports/george-foreman-boxer
0 comments:
Post a Comment