- Former world heavyweight champion Foreman passed away aged 76 on Friday
- If he lost, it was more down to exhaustion, though he was at times left frustrated
- Defeat by Muhammad Ali showed that but they went onto become great friends
George Foreman was a history maker who set standards for the modern-day fighter to follow.
He will be regarded as one of the greats for a long time to come for his journey, from the wrong side of the tracks to twice world champion, is one that more fighters can relate to as they strive every day to work their way up through the ranks.
He was an honest talent, born with great strength, and his story was one of huge determination. He won his first amateur fight in 1967 and barely 18 months later he was an Olympic champion. A gold medalist in a golden age for heavyweights.
If he lost, as he did so famously to Muhammad Ali in ’74, it was more down to exhaustion. Like Evander Holyfield, while George remained standing in a fight, he always had a chance with that special punching power.
His record, 81 fights, 76 wins and 68 by knockout, is phenomenal and tells you where his strength lay.
When ‘Big’ George defended his world titles the second time round, in 1995, he fought against a German fighter, Axel Shulz, who had invited me to spar with him for his preparation. He wanted me to help with his speed. Now Axel was unbelievably strong, a real unit. He was 26 and George was 46 and I expected Axel to make life very difficult in that ring, but George beat him up.
He will be regarded as one of the greats for a long time to come because of his journey
He was an honest talent, born with great strength, and his story was one of huge determination
Defeat by Muhammed Ali left him frustrated, but the two went onto become great friends
His second coming had taught him how to turn it on for the camera, when to smile, when not to
He was a powerful beast and took full advantage.
Deep down, the Ali defeat had frustrated him. Losing to Jimmy Young in 1977 left him questioning himself. It’s something every fighter wrestles with. George had been the ‘baddest man on the planet’. He’d beaten the great Joe Frazier to become world champion first time round, overpowering him. He’d played up to being the pantomime villain, and he found defeat very hard to come to terms with. He went away for 10 years but in that time realised that every fighter has flaws.
Every person has flaws. It’s how you deal with them and pick yourself up that shapes you. George not only found a way but proceeded to tread new ground.
He returned to the ring, ultimately in triumph when many doubted him, and showed a business sense with the George Foreman grill that earned him more money than his boxing career ever had.
I met him three or four times and he was always a no-nonsense kind of guy. His second coming had taught him how to turn it on for the camera, when to smile, when not to. That was his business side. He understood the game better for what it was.
‘Big George’ Foreman will forever be a shining example for what hard work and determination can help you achieve in sport and life.
