When he made the shocking decision to return to the ring to face journeyman heavyweight Steve Zouski 36 years ago today, George Foreman was in no way the beloved and hugely popular figure he is today.
If any fight fan of a certain age or education hears talk of how purposely loosened ropes played a huge part in the outcome of a fight, they instantly and reflexively think of the heavyweight epic that took place in the heart of Africa back in October of 1974.
George Foreman Vs. Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson Vs. George Foreman (because you could argue both guys deserve the A-side treatment). It’s one of the most fascinating, guaranteed explosions of a fight that could have happened yet never did.
Having had a title change and a delay in being released in theatres, the eagerly anticipated George Foreman biopic is at last just weeks away.
And to think, George Foreman was set to fight Pedro Lovell. If this had happened, the world would have been deprived of one of, if not THE greatest, heavyweight slugfests of all time.
It was 50 years ago today when a young, raw and unbeaten heavyweight contender hailing from Texas challenged heavyweight king Joe Frazier.
George Foreman had ruled, in fact terrorised, the heavyweight division in 1973 and 1974. Gerry Cooney had been a genuine heavyweight superstar sensation of a murderous left hooker in 1980/1981/1982.
The End Of A Legend As George Foreman Is Controversially Beaten By Shannon Briggs
Even at age 48, “Big” George Foreman was a formidable, no-joke heavyweight.
To many boxing fans, the date of November 5, 1994 will stay with them. In a good way. In a great way.
48 long years ago it took place, this at around 4A.M local time (10 PM New York time). It was of course the epic, never to be forgotten “Rumble in the Jungle” between heavyweight superstars Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.