George Foreman
Two careers, two title reigns, 21 years apart.
- Born
- January 10, 1949, Marshall, Texas, US
- Died
- March 21, 2025 (aged 76)
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 191 cm (6′3″)
- Reach
- 199 cm (6′6″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Power puncher
- Weight
- Heavyweight
- Active
- 1969–1977, 1987–1997
The record
Professional; matches IBHOF record
1968 Olympic gold (heavyweight)
The story
eorge Foreman found boxing through the Job Corps and won heavyweight gold at the 1968 Olympics. As a pro he knocked Joe Frazier down six times in two rounds in Jamaica in 1973 to take the title, and stopped Ken Norton just as quickly. Then, tiring badly, he was knocked out by Muhammad Ali in Zaire in 1974. After losing to Jimmy Young in 1977 he quit to become an ordained minister. Ten years later he came back with a calmer style, went the distance with Evander Holyfield in a 1991 title fight, and in 1994, aged 45, knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history. He retired in 1997 at 76-5 with 68 knockouts, sold millions of grills and died in 2025.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Undisputed heavyweight champion (1973–1974)
- WBA and IBF heavyweight champion (1994–1995), oldest heavyweight champion in history
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (2003)
- World Boxing Hall of Fame
Defining fights
- 1973WINvs Joe Frazier (TKO 2, won heavyweight title)
- 1974WINvs Ken Norton (TKO 2)
- 1974LOSSvs Muhammad Ali (KO 8, Rumble in the Jungle)
- 1991LOSSvs Evander Holyfield (UD 12)
- 1994WINvs Michael Moorer (KO 10, champion again at 45)
Borrow his comeback defence: late in his career Foreman used a crossed-arm guard, copied from Ken Norton, to block shots while he walked opponents down. Practise a tight cross-arm block against straight punches, then answer with short power shots.
