By James Slater: Mixed in amongst the busy fight schedule of this past weekend, was a heavyweight bout held in Hampton, Virginia. The up-and-coming pro career of one George Foreman III, “Monk” as he is known, continued its winning ways with a 1st-round stoppage of Louisiana’s Eric Lindsey on Saturday night.
The unbeaten 28-year-old overcame the first rough patch of his fledgling pro career, as he was rocked by a right hand that sent him into the ropes with just seconds gone in the bout. Referee Chris Wollesen issued a standing eight-count to the young Foreman, after which Monk came back to blast the 36-year-old with a left hand to the head. Lindsey went down, but beat the count; only for the fight to be waved off by the third man in the ring. The official time was 2 minutes and 54-seconds.
Lindsey, now 3-11(1) protested the stoppage, to no avail. Foreman III is now 12-0(11) and it is to be hoped he will be stepped up in quality, at least a little bit, soon. Foreman had no amateur career and is taking things slow and careful as a result. With his legendary father guiding him, Monk is obviously in good hands. However, beating guys with losing records (as all but one of Foreman’s opponents had) will not teach him too much any more than it will test him. Still, who am I to tell the Foreman’s how to go about their business!?
Monk only turned pro in June of 2009, and both he and his all-time great father feel he has no need at all to rush things. And at least Lindsey, who normally fights as a cruiserweight and tipped-in at a light 210-pounds to Foreman’s 239, came to fight. Stopped now nine times as a pro, Lindsey was having his first fight since August of 2007.
There is no doubt Foreman can punch, and he did show character by coming back from being at least a little bit hurt in this fight. How far can the university graduate go? Time – most likely a lot of time – will tell. But with his famous surname, the fact that he is a heavyweight who can bang and the fact that he is eager to fight as often as he can, Monk can expect to keep the fans interested.
Foreman III has had two wins this year so far and he says he plans to keep himself busy for the remainder of 2011. Will the up-and-comer be able to get a T.V network interested in showing his fights this year?