RIP George Foreman
First Pitch: 1:10 PM CT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN
Know Thine Enemy: The Crawfish Boxes
My dad is potentially the biggest 1970s boxing fan that has ever existed. As such, I grew up in a household where names like Muhammad Ali & Joe Frazier were dinnertime topics. Another big (literally) one: George Foreman—a Houston area native who passed away on March 21 at the age of 76.
Big George was born in Marshall, TX in 1949 and grew up in the Fifth Ward of the greater Houston area. After dropping out of formal school by age 15, Foreman received enough mentorship to achieve his GED. By 1968 he was bringing home Olympic Gold for the USA.
After a 37-0 (34 victories via KO) start to his pro career, George was given a 1973 title shot against Joe Frazier. Billed as an epic confrontation, Foreman made the point moot—bouncing Smokin’ Joe around the ring like a pinball in the launch shoot. After six knockdowns, George Foreman was heavyweight champion of the world (and Howard Cosell had an iconic call)…
This of course set up the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle (Zaire, Africa) against Muhammad Ali. Truth be told, no one gave the past-his-prime Ali much of a chance against Foreman’s formidable force. But they don’t call Ali the G.O.A.T. for nothing…
After the loss to Ali, Foreman struggled to find his pugilistic footing. In 1975, he fought five men in one night as a publicity stunt—more embarrassing than endearing. Two years later, a loss to Jimmy Young precipitated a post-match, near-death experience in which he claims to have received a message from God and subsequently became a born-again Christian.
After ten years outside the ring, Foreman began a comeback at age 38. Around that same time, he lent his name to a new home grill commercial endeavor. Probably nothing.
In the subsequent years he lost to heavyweight stalwarts like Evander Holyfield and Tommy “Gunn” Morrison—but went the distance with both. In 1994, he did the unthinkable—defeating Michael Moorer to become the oldest (45) heavyweight champion ever!
After a few more years of duking it out with much younger men, George fought his last battle in 1997 at the age of 48—after which he retired to become a full-time minister. He sired seven daughters and five sons (all named George, hilariously).
Oh yeah—that grill venture? It is estimated Big George raked in $200 million for his pitchman status—far more than his boxing purses.
Much like John Madden’s frenetic coaching visage didn’t quite square with his jocular broadcasting or video game front man status, George Foreman’s raw power and steely visage of youth can hardly be reconciled with the smiling “grill guy”. May he rest in peace.
