It’s hard to believe. The ever-smiling, larger-than-life presence of ‘Big George’ Foreman is no longer with us. At 76, the boxing legend passed away on March 21, leaving behind a legacy that transcends generations. Undoubtedly, Muhammad Ali, whom Foreman faced in the iconic ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ fifty years ago, remains the most celebrated boxer in history. However, boxing needed formidable rivals like Foreman, Frazier, and Lyle to elevate Ali’s greatness.
Among them, few names evoke the same sheer intensity as George Foreman. His menacing aura and thunderous punching power left a lasting imprint on the sport. As tributes poured in across social media, discussions reignited over Foreman’s place in boxing history. Many believe he has rightfully earned a spot among the ‘greatest of all time’ (GOAT). Here’s why.
Two-Time Heavyweight Champion – Two Eras, Two Legacies
By winning the heavyweight championship in two entirely different eras, Foreman achieved a feat few, if any, will replicate. His first reign began in 1973 when he demolished ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica. Just a year later, Muhammad Ali dethroned him in Kinshasa, Zaire, in what became one of the sport’s most legendary bouts. The devastating loss, followed by a defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977, led Foreman to retire at 28.
UNIONDALE,NY – JUNE 15,1976: Joe Frazier (L) throws a punch against George Foreman during the fight at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. George Foreman won the NABF heavyweight title by a TKO 5. (Photo by: The Ring Magazine via Getty Images)
However, unlike most of his contemporaries, Foreman refused to fade into retirement. A decade later, in 1987, he staged an audacious comeback. By then, the boxing landscape had changed. Ali and Frazier were long gone, and the sport had new stars. Yet Foreman, fighting multiple times a year, climbed his way back into contention.
In 1991, he challenged Evander Holyfield for the unified heavyweight title, only to fall short by unanimous decision. Two years later, he faced Tommy Morrison for the WBO belt but came up short again. Undeterred, Foreman made one final title push in 1994, facing the hard-hitting Michael Moorer. Then came the moment that defined his return. As legendary commentator Jim Lampley aptly put it, “It happened.” Against all odds, Foreman knocked out Moorer in the 10th round, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history at 45.
That’s a legacy built across two generations.
The Most Terrifying Power Puncher Ever
Before the ‘Rumble in the Jungle,’ for good reason, Muhammad Ali entered as a significant underdog against Foreman. Dismantling heavyweight contenders with ease, ‘Big George’ had built a fearsome reputation. With six relentless knockdowns, he overpowered Joe Frazier. The carnage was so overwhelming that Ali’s legendary trainer, Angelo Dundee, famously pleaded for the fight to be stopped.
Later, he obliterated Jose Roman in the first round. His destruction of Ken Norton, who had previously beaten Ali, further cemented his aura of invincibility. The fight in Caracas, Venezuela, ended in the second round as Norton was simply unable to withstand the sheer force of Foreman’s punches.
Even during his second career run, Foreman’s punching power remained terrifying. From 1987 onward, he racked up a staggering 22-fight knockout streak before Holyfield ended it via decision. Few fighters, past or present, carried the same level of fearsome knockout potential.
The Legendary Comeback That No One Expected
Foreman’s decade-long absence from boxing was meant for a spiritual journey. By the time he returned in his late 30s, many dismissed the idea of a serious comeback. After all, even in modern times, most fighters consider retirement by that age. But Foreman defied expectations.
He faced opponents far younger than him and continued to push forward. When he finally reclaimed the heavyweight title in 1994, he was 45. His opponent, Michael Moorer, was just 27. From his loss to Ali in 1974 to his historic title win in 1994, Foreman endured a 20-year gap between championships. It remains an unprecedented feat in boxing history.
He Fought Some of the Greatest Ever
One of the biggest complaints in modern boxing is that many champions avoid top-level opposition. In contrast, the 1970s heavyweight division was a battleground where all the greats clashed. Foreman’s resume reads like a Hall of Fame roster – Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Evander Holyfield, Tommy Morrison, and more.
Few fighters in history have shared the ring with such an elite lineup.
A Chin That Could Withstand a War
Foreman’s power often overshadowed his durability, but his toughness was just as legendary. Except for his knockout loss to Ali, Foreman was never stopped early in a fight. Even at 48, in his final bout against heavy-hitter Shannon Briggs in 1997, he went the distance and nearly pulled off a win.
His 1976 war against Ron Lyle, named Ring Magazine’s ‘Fight of the Year,’ remains one of the most brutal slugfests in heavyweight history. Foreman absorbed devastating knockdowns, only to rise and fight back. In 1991, against Holyfield, Foreman endured vicious combinations that would have floored younger fighters. Yet, he lasted all 12 rounds, proving his resilience even at an advanced age.
There may never be another George Foreman. Whether he ranks at the top, second, or anywhere else on the GOAT list, one thing is certain: his name is forever etched among boxing’s all-time greats.
Which part of George Foreman’s career do you admire most?
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