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.

He finished his amateur career with an incredible 27-0 record before turning professional in 1969. That year, he won a total of 12 fights, with 11 via knockout. The following year, he continued on in pursuit of the undisputed heavyweight title by winning every one of his 12 fights in 1970, again with 11 of them by knockout. In 1971, Foreman won seven more victories. He had earned a phenomenal record of 32-0 by then, and was considered by the WBC and WBA to be the top challenger. Foreman continued his victorious streak with an additional five victories in 1972. He won each of these victories in three rounds.

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.

However, he made a comeback, returning to boxing in 1976. Foreman continued boxing until 1977 when he experienced what he felt was a near death experience. He became very ill in his dressing room in Puerto Rico after losing to Jimmy Young in a 12 round decision. He was frightened by this sudden illness and asked God to help him. He reported that God asked him to change the ways of his life. He became a born again Christian, dedicating his life to Christianity. He jokes that Jimmy Young literally knocked the devil out of him.

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.

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.

Surprisingly, Foreman made another boxing comeback after 10 years out of the ring. At the mature age of 38, Foreman announced in 1988 that he would be returning to boxing. His aim was to show people that age did have to prevent anyone from achieving their goals. Foreman won eight fights that year, though none of his opponents were rated contenders. Foreman gained many victories, and some memorable defeats as well.

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.

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.