March 22, 2009
George Foreman Boxing
George Foreman is a well-known name; his career has been long and eventful. Not only does he have the distinction of being known as one of 25 greatest boxers of all time, he was also the oldest man to win a heavyweight title. He is an accomplished businessman in addition to being an ordained Christian minister. He even owns his own church.
His amateur career came to a close with an amazing record of 27-0. He turned professional in 1969, winning 12 fights that year with 11 of them won by knockout. He continued his quest towards claiming the undisputed heavyweight title during 1970 when he won every one of his twelve fights that year. Again, eleven of his victories were by knockout. Throughout 1971, George Foreman claimed seven more victories. By this time, he had amassed an impressive 32-0 record and was considered the number one challenger by both the WBC and the WBA. Foreman continued his string of victories adding five more victories in 1972. Each of these victories was won within three rounds.
He finished his amateur career with an incredible 27-0 record before turning professional in 1969. That year, he won a total of 12 fights, with 11 via knockout. The following year, he continued on in pursuit of the undisputed heavyweight title by winning every one of his 12 fights in 1970, again with 11 of them by knockout. In 1971, Foreman won seven more victories. He had earned a phenomenal record of 32-0 by then, and was considered by the WBC and WBA to be the top challenger. Foreman continued his victorious streak with an additional five victories in 1972. He won each of these victories in three rounds.
In the 1973 Sunshine Showdown " a bout televised by HBO Boxing " Foreman was up against Joe Frazier, the reigning undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. In this defining match, Foreman knocked Frazier down six separate times in only two rounds to earn the championship title by knockout. This event was one of the greatest upsets in the history of boxing, and many fans will always remember that final blow " an uppercut that Foreman delivered with such impact that Frazier was actually lifted off his feet before slamming to the canvas for the final time.
Foreman kept his heavyweight title until 1974, when he was pitted against the former heavyweight champion, Mohamed Ali. This bout, dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle was fought in Zaire. This match marked Foremans first defeat in his entire professional boxing career. Foreman disappeared from the boxing scene for the rest of 1975 in the face of this crushing defeat.
He never formally retired from boxing but he did stop boxing. He became a minister of a church, devoting himself to his family and the church parishioners. A youth center was opened that bears his name. He continues to give testimonies regarding his conversion experience.
Though he never did formally retire from boxing, he did leave the boxing scene. He became a church pastor, with great devotion to his family and his church members. A youth center was opened in his name, and he continues to speak about his powerful conversion experience.
After ten years out of the ring, he made a second comeback. In 1988, he announced that he would return to boxing at the age of 38. He wanted to show people that age should not be considered a barrier in regards to achieving goals. During 1988, he won eight fights, although none of his challengers was a rated contender. Foreman continued with a string of victories as well as some notable defeats.
Surprisingly, Foreman made another boxing comeback after 10 years out of the ring. At the mature age of 38, Foreman announced in 1988 that he would be returning to boxing. His aim was to show people that age did have to prevent anyone from achieving their goals. Foreman won eight fights that year, though none of his opponents were rated contenders. Foreman gained many victories, and some memorable defeats as well.
Foreman went on to break two boxing records when he regained the heavyweight title after successfully challenging Michael Moorer in Las Vegas on November 5, 1994. He not only became the oldest boxer to win the world heavyweight title; he also broke the record for longest interval between championship wins. He kept boxing until his second retirement in 1999.
His other business ventures include doing commercials for Meineke Mufflers and promotion of his George Foreman Grill. He also began marketing his own brand of Big and Tall clothing through Casual Male in 2004.
He starred in his own sit-com in 1993, was a judge on a realty series, American Inventor. In July of 2008 a reality show, Family Foreman, starring George and his family premiered.
In 1993, he starred in his own sit-com. He was also a judge on the reality series American Inventor. In July of 2008, a reality show called Family Foreman debuted featuring George and his family.
He has also published four books; all related to his life experiences. These books are sure to be interesting reading considering the interesting life George Foreman has led thus far.

Filed under Health, Kids and Teens, Sports and Hobbies by Denise Smithson









