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Former two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist George Foreman (76-5, 68 KOs) died at this time at 76. It was reported on Foreman’s household Instagram website and confirmed by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.
Early Years & Olympic Gold
The 1968 Olympic gold medalist Foreman captured world titles in 1973 and 1994. He retired from the game a rich man, due to being the spokesman for the George Foreman grill. He made a fortune from the grill, which continues to be round at this time.
‘Big George’ had an attention-grabbing profession in two components. Within the first, he was this slim, muscular fighter identified for his knockouts of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton. Many followers who have been round in Foreman’s youthful days bear in mind him for his victory over Joe Frazier in 1973.
Howard Cossell labored the battle because the broadcaster and went nuts after Foreman dropped Frazier for the primary time, saying, “Down goes Frazier. Down goes Frazier.” He’d been anticipated to defeat the then 24-year-old Foreman, however it was a mismatch.
He was stopped by Muhammad Ali in 1974. He retired after an upset 12-round unanimous choice loss to Jimmy Younger on March 17, 1977, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Foreman stayed retired for ten years earlier than launching a comeback in 1987 at age 39.
Now not slim, a chunky-looking Foreman nonetheless possessed his energy however was slower than he’d been in youthful days. He knocked out the likes of Gerry Cooney, Dwight Muhammad, and Bert Cooper earlier than later changing into a two-time heavyweight champion when he stopped IBF and WBA champion Michael Moorer within the tenth spherical on November 5, 1994. Foreman was 45 on the time.
Controversy & Farewell
Three years later, Foreman retired after dropping a controversial 12-round majority choice to Shannon Briggs on November twenty second, 1997. Many boxing followers who noticed that battle felt that Foreman was robbed and felt it was a political factor.
Foreman labored for HBO for 12 years earlier than retiring in 2004. He made the broadcasts attention-grabbing to take heed to him, him, and Larry Service provider.
