- Born
- Died
- Birth nameGeorge Edward Foreman
- Nicknames
- Big George
- The Heywood Giant
- Height6′ 4″ (1.93 m)
- George Foreman was boxing's most feared fighter from 1973-1974. Undefeated in 40 straight fights, 37 by knockout, he was on a 24 consecutive knockout run when he faced Muhammad Ali on October 30, 1974 in defense of his world heavyweight title in Zaire, Africa. A product of a poor family, Foreman was in constant trouble with the law. He credits the Job Corp with turning his life around. Started boxing as an amateur and, in less than three years, captured a gold medal in the 1968 Olympic Games. Lost only 2 out of 24 amateur fights. Turned pro under the guidance of veteran trainer Dick Saddler. Foreman was a stablemate of former heavyweight king Charles "Sonny" Liston and Charlie Snips. Foreman idolized Liston and copied his ring style and mannerisms. Foreman used a piercing stare to intimated his opponents ala Liston. He was criticized for beating second rate opponents, yet had scored victories over credible fighters like George Chuvallo, Boone Kirkman and Gregorio Peralta. Destroyed undefeated Joe Frazier in two brutal rounds to capture the world title in 1973; Frazier was knocked down six times. Destroyed Jose "King" Roman in one round and Ken Norton in two rounds to retain his title. Foreman was knocked out by 3-1 underdog Muhammad Ali in 8 rounds. Foreman fought 5 men in one night in a 1975 exhibition. Won five straight knockouts on the comeback trail before being decked and decision-ed by Jimmy Young in Puerto Rico in 1977. Foreman claimed to have seen God in his dressing room following the defeat and announced he was going to become a preacher and retire from boxing. Preached for 10 years and blew up to 300 pounds. Decided to return to the ring to raise money for his church; experts laughed, but Foreman racked up 18 straight knockout victories. He was defeated in a title bid by Evander Holyfield but, a few years later, shocked the world by knocking out undefeated World Heavyweight Champion Michael Moorer (36-0) to become champion again at 45. Made a few successful defenses before losing his title by a controversial decision to Shannon Briggs.- IMDb Mini Biography By: angelsunchained
- SpousesMary Foreman(March 25, 1985 - March 21, 2025) (his death, 6 children)Andrea Skeete(April 28, 1982 - February 4, 1985) (divorced, 2 children)Sharon Goodson(September 15, 1981 - April 23, 1982) (divorced)Cynthia Lewis(October 6, 1977 - August 3, 1979) (divorced)Adrienne Calhoun(December 24, 1971 - February 13, 1974) (divorced, 2 children)
- Children
- ParentsLeroy Moorehead
- He told ESPN SportsCentury he named all five of his sons George Edward so that each would know who his father was. Foreman learned as an adult that he was the illegitimate son of a man named Leroy Moorehead. The two men eventually met, and Foreman was a minister at Moorehead's funeral.
- The greatest knockout boxer of all-time with 68 of his 76 wins coming by KO.
- Won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics.
- Fought 5 heavyweight boxers in one night in Canada in 1975, knocking out 3.
- Undefeated since his comeback in 1987, George fought undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield for the title in 1991. Big George proved he was for real at 42 by staying with Holyfield for 12 rounds and losing by decision.
- Food makes me happy."
"I'm on a see-food diet. I see food, I eat it."
[plugging his TV series] "And you better be watching, or I'll beat you up and eat all of your food. - On his boxing comeback, "I didn't come back for the money. I just got sick of beating people up for free."
- I called them all George because I was worried that when I was older I might suffer from memory loss. I would have called my five girls George, too, but my wife said she thought that was overkill. When one of them is naughty, I shout 'George!' and that one knows who I mean. The only time it is awkward for me is when a teacher calls up and say we have a problem with George, and I have to ask them which one.
- As a child I was sometimes so hungry that I used to dream that one day I'd get locked in a grocery store.
- I never did anything for personal gain. When I was a boxer, I wanted to be champion of the world, not the richest man in the world. If you can maintain that integrity in whatever you do, you can't go wrong. That's what I tell my kids, anyway.
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