13.11.07 – By James Slater: It is just over thirteen years since George Foreman shocked the world by knocking out the much younger Michael Moorer to regain the heavyweight championship of the world. November 5th was the date, The MGM Grand in Las Vegas was the venue, and surely there has not been a more joyous moment in heavyweight boxing since. In short, what George did was something that defied logic.
To recapture the heavyweight title over twenty years after losing it was an unforgettable achievement. Foreman was a beloved figure even before his sledgehammer right hand collided with Moorer’s chin in round number ten. Afterwards, as he knelt in a prayer of thanks in a corner of the ring, now a two-time heavyweight king, “Big” George became something else altogether – a genuine folk hero to millions.
The joy felt that night at ringside was something rarely experienced in such magnitude. Sure, fans are happy when their guy wins, but with Foreman’s incredible win the fans were moved in an entirely different way. Even Moorer’s fans, the few people in the arena that were actually rooting for him that is, applauded George’s stunning victory. That night in Vegas, those in attendance were witness to something truly special indeed. Even watching live on T.V, fans were privy to a once-in-a-lifetime sporting moment. As HBO’s Jim Lampley said afterwards, while still on air, “if you missed this fight you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life.” How right he was.
George himself always said his comeback was akin to Haley’s comet, in that it was something that only comes around once in a very long time. “Never again will you see anything like this,” he said correctly. Not only is it extremely unlikely we will ever see a one-time heavyweight champion lose his title, only to regain it some two decades later, but it is just as unlikely we will fall in love with another heavyweight the same way as we did with George – at least not any time soon. In short, Foreman’s win was a complete one-off, in that it brought about genuine happiness and untold celebration. Who amongst today’s heavyweights is capable of doing that?
And to think, there was a time when the experts frowned upon Foreman’s return to boxing, calling his comeback nothing other than a bad joke. Now, however, George’s return is rightly recognised as something that gave the sport some undeniably great moments – the win over Moorer being at the pinnacle in a number of underdog-makes-good fistic occasions.
Of the people who were present at the MGM Grand that November night thirteen years ago, should the fans that were not there be eternally envious. For without going overboard, they saw, firsthand, the closest thing to a miracle the sporting world is capable of producing. Even now, when in need of a pick-me-up, fans reportedly slide a copy of Foreman-Moorer into the VCR. And when they see the KO that occurs at two minutes and three seconds of round number ten the only thing they can do is smile. Real magic does that to a person.
Foreman KO10 Moorer, modern day boxing’s ultimate feel good moment!