Remembering George Foreman: 3 fights all boxing fans should watch

The passing of the legendary George Foreman shook the boxing world on 21 March of this year. Lovingly known as ‘Big George’, the boxing legend had a career unlike most of the modern day warriors. Much like Oleksandr Usyk of today, Foreman reigned as the undisputed champion of that time, and won an Olympic Gold medal in 1968.

His rivalry with great boxers like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier remains the core legacy of heavyweight boxing. Some deem the state of boxing in the 1970s as the golden age of heavyweight boxing with Ali, Foreman, and Frazier leading the charge. A decade-and-half later, a young Mike Tyson would emerge onto the scene.

The longevity of Foreman’s career remains an astounding aspect. In the prime of his life, ‘Big George’ retired, but came back at an advanced age to claim another world championship. By that time, Ali and Frazier had long retired. A dream boxing bout between Foreman and Tyson could have materialized. However, ‘Iron Mike’ chose not to due to the age of Big George.

Nevertheless, Foreman went on to fight Tyson’s biggest rival, Evander Holyfield, in a losing effort. Not a lot of boxers competed at the highest level during the age of Muhammad Ali and the age of Mike Tyson. Both of the timelines were years apart, but Foreman defied ‘Father Time’ for years. Here are the three sensational bouts of the late heavyweight boxing legend.

3. George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier 1 – 1973

In early 1973, Foreman earned his first shot at the undisputed heavyweight title. It was a massive undefeated vs. undefeated bout with the undisputed championship on the line. At 38-0, Big George was not deemed the favorite to win the bout. However, he proved naysayers wrong with a sensational performance to remember.

The 1968 Olympic Gold medalist started strong, and delivered massive strikes that knocked Frazier down. The brutality of the beating was so bad that Big George had knocked his rival down six times in two rounds! There was no three-knockdown rule at that time. As such, the referee didn’t wave off the fight. A rebroadcast of the fight saw the commentator say, ‘Down goes Frazier!‘ over and over again.

The underdog of the fight went and starched the favorite; making it look all too easy is one of the reasons why this bout held huge significance. It paved the way for Big George to challenge Muhammad Ali in a massive money fight. Foreman’s will in his first title bout will serve as an inspiration for all challengers seeking their first gold against a formidable opponent.

2. George Foreman vs. Ken Norton – 1974

To set up the infamous Rumble in the Jungle megafight against Muhammad Ali, Big George had to go through another formidable opponent in Ken Norton. At that time, Norton was 1-1 against Ali, but Foreman had yet to face ‘The Greatest.’ One aspect of this encounter remains underrated.

Even before the bout happened, controversial promoter Don King had signed Foreman vs. Ali for Rumble in the Jungle. The signed bout would have collapsed had Norton defeated Big George. With a lot of money and pressure on the line, Foreman had to achieve victory.

The first round saw an evenly contested fight happening between Norton and Foreman. However, Big George turned the tide around in the next round. He knocked Norton down three times in the second round with relentless pressure and accuracy.

Norton was saved by the ring from completely falling due to the knockdowns. However, the third knockdown from Foreman put Norton to the ground. After struggling to get back up, the referee awarded a TKO victory to Big George in what was a brutal one-sided affair.

1. George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer – 1994

Big George took time away from the sport in 1977. Surprisingly, he took a ten-year break and returned in 1987. Not many fighters can take such a long break, and return to once again to compete at the highest level. Foreman shook everyone when he started winning against boxers who had youth on their side. Combat sports favor the young over the experienced sometimes because of less accumulated damage.

Seven years after returning to boxing, Foreman received another opportunity to fight for the world title. He fought Michael Moorer with the WBA and IBF titles on the line. Big George was 45 years at that time. How many people win world titles at 45? Not many, but destiny was on Foreman’s side. After returning to boxing in 1997, the legendary boxer had wanted to win another world title.

Michael Moorer had the age advantage by around 19 years. In fact, he was landing the better strikes in the early rounds. The durability of a 45-year-old Foreman was something else. Maybe, he was the only 45-year-old who could absorb those devastating strikes. In close proximity, Foreman was able land counterstrikes. He did that all throughout the fight.

At the same time, the legend had to absorb plenty of significant strikes from his much younger opponent. After round 7, it became a dogfight. Whoever could land the best strike can win. At that time, Foreman gained some momentum, and went for a quick one-two combo. The second strike of the combination landed flush on Moorer’s chin, knocking him down and rendering him unable to continue.

With that, he became the oldest heavyweight boxer to win the world title. The story of the legendary George Foreman is as inspiring as it gets. His career remains a source of gigantic inspiration for all boxers who face adversities in their careers.

Related: “I was snatched out of my body,” Legendary boxer George Foreman’s ‘near-death’ experience in locker room made him born-again Christian