A long 45 years ago today, a young and undefeated fighter from Texas named George Foreman met a near 3-1 betting favourite in the form of the likewise unbeaten “Smokin’” Joe Frazier, as the Philadelphia warrior attempted to defend his world title for a fifth time.The two punchers met in Kingston, Jamaica in a bout dubbed “The Sunshine Showdown,” and those fans who witnessed the fight saw a shockingly violent affair, where the 24-year-old challenger with the 37-0 record utterly annihilated the 29-0 world ruler.
George Foreman
Happy Birthday, George Foreman: “Big George” is 69 today – is Foreman the greatest living heavyweight?
Heavyweight legend, former two-time king George Foreman today celebrates his 69th birthday. In great health, and always in great spirits, “Big George” is the elder statesman of boxing, the way the departed Muhammad Ali perhaps should have been in his later years had ill health not struck him down. Immensely popular (it’s so hard to believe how Foreman was a bad guy, a disliked fighter back in the 1970s), Foreman perhaps holds the distinction of being the greatest living heavyweight boxer.
Fighting through the blood, sweat and tears
Right now, UK trade paper Boxing News has a list of the worst facial injuries suffered by … continue
“Foreman” documentary provides inspirational viewing
The George Foreman story is well known and, as is the case with Muhammad Ali, there are plenty of documentaries, books and other tributes looking back on the incredible achievements of the former two-time world heavyweight king out there. As such, fans who have not yet seen the new (released in September of this year) documentary “Foreman,” may feel the Universal Pictures release offers nothing new.
Who hit harder: George Foreman? Earnie Shavers? Ron Lyle? Cleveland Williams? – one man who fought ’em all gives his take
What was it like to have been hit on the chin by heavyweight power-punchers George Foreman, Earnie Shavers, Cleveland Williams and Ron Lyle? There is one man who today can, in a quite unique perspective, be able to say what it was indeed like to have faced these monsters. His name is not overly familiar, but New Orleans heavyweight Leroy Caldwell, who fought as a pro in the 1960s,’70s and ’80s, quite literally ‘fought ’em all’ (Caldwell the only living man to have fought Foreman, Shavers and Williams).
George Foreman gives his take on the Lomachenko-Rigondeaux fight and its aftermath
Heavyweight legend, in fact living legend, George Foreman never, ever quit in a fight in his life: the former world champion digging deep in so many epic bouts. Today, the finest elder statesman of the sport we all love so much has a roving eye on all the big fights and what they mean to boxing.
Like the rest of us, “Big George” was disappointed, shocked even, over how pound-for-pound entrant Guillermo Rigondeaux quit on his stool at the conclusion of just six-rounds against Vasyl Lomachenko on Saturday. Foreman, who pushed himself numerous times in numerous fights – his epics with Ron Lyle, Evander Holyfield and Michael Moorer being the stuff of legend – comes from a different era; one where quitting was simply unforgiven.
George Foreman: He walked a unique path
Back in 1969, a young fighter who had managed to capture an Olympic gold medal was not assured the million dollar contracts that abound for such talent today. No, the sport was different to young talent such as Cassius Clay, Joe Frazier and George Foreman – to mention three Olympic gold medallists from the swinging sixties. Back then, a young Foreman was paid a few hundred bucks (if that) for his debut – far, far less than guys and gals like Anthony Joshua Nicola Adams, Katie Taylor and other budding superstars got when they went pro.
Tyson Fury compares his coming back to Ali’s epic return to the crown versus Foreman
It’s just talk and will remain as such until he gets his license back, but former and unbeaten heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury is busy calling out not only his rival Brit Anthony Joshua, but also Deontay Wilder.
As convinced as ever that he has the beating of both the reigning WBA/IBF champ along with the current WBC king, Fury has declared, once again, how he will be back. And this time, via his twitter page, Fury has said his return to glory by “taking down” Joshua will be just like the great Muhammad Ali’s return to the crown against George Foreman back in 1974.
The Comeback Kings: Seven greats who made it all the way back
Comeback: “a return by a well-known person, especially an entertainer or sports player, to the activity in which they had formerly been successful”
7. Sugar Ray Robinson.
Sugar Ray had more than earned the accolade as the finest boxer in history pound-for pound, as a welterweight and a middleweight. But Ray wanted more. He moved up to light heavyweight and in June of 1952 challenged Joey Maxim for his world title. Robinson was way ahead on the scorecards, but going into the latter rounds of the fight – fought under a temperature of 104 degrees – Robinson hit the wall. He was suffering from heat prostration and had to quit on his stool at the end of thirteen rounds. Sugar Ray announced his retirement afterwards. It stuck for two and a half years.
Jimmy Young Vs. George Foreman: The fight that ended Foreman’s career but ultimately brought about his rebirth
Upon entering the ring in the Coliseo Roberto Clemente stadium in Puerto Rico just over 40 years ago, former heavyweight king George Foreman had Muhammad Ali on his mind; in particular he had thoughts of a rematch with the man who had shocked, stunned and beaten him three years earlier playing on his mind.