Loved watching his matches. Doubtful there has ever been a more powerful puncher in boxing. Rest in Peace George, and prayers to your family.
RIP Champ. George Forman was one of the most likeable, genuine-seeming celebrities, in any walk of life, I can recall. A very classy act.
George was quite the character. A villain in his early boxing career and a likeable giant in his second boxing career. A thudding puncher who would wear you down. Not the hardest puncher but maybe the heaviest puncher. I contend the hardest hitting heavyweight champ was non other than the Manassa Mauler, Jack Dempsey. His left hook from six inches was clocked at 137 mph and had an impact of 1137 lbs per sq inch, more powerful than the bite of an alligator. When Dempsey (6’ 1” and 189 lbs) won the title from Jess Willard (6’7” and 260 lbs), the first left hook landed in round one shattered Willard’s cheek in 13 places. Nontheless, Big George was a two time champ, a great businessman, and a man who loved his country. RIP
RIP Champ! Anyone still rocking his Foreman grills? I havent had one in over a decade but may go get one in honor of him lol.
RIP Big George. During the height of covid when there wasn’t much in the way of live sports to show, espn for a while showed replays of some of the great boxing matches. The 1991 fight against Holyfield when he was 42 during his comeback was fantastic. He lost but damn what a fight. I miss those days for boxing.
Entertaining guy after his boxing career ended, and had a full life. Five wives and 12 kids I think. Always thought it was funny that he named all 5 sons George (so they would have something in common)
That was the fight that made me quit gambling I won but it was so much closer than I thought it was going to be.
After he won the Gold in 1968 (held USA flag vs fist in air by the track nit wits), he did some 3 round exhibitions. I went to see him do one and he could have KOed the guy in < 1 minute. George was scary looking back then but had a soft heart. Loved him, loved Smokin Joe Frazier, Kenny Norton, gosh I loved to watch lots of those guys. Find the Foreman vs Ron Lyle fight on youtube. You will love it.
