Today is Birthday No. 66 for the oldest world heavyweight boxing champion in history. George Foreman was born Jan. 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas. He first won the title when he destroyed Joe Frazier in Kingston, Jamaica, on Jan. 22, 1973, knocking the previously undefeated Frazier on the canvas six times before the fight was called in the second round. He made two successful title defenses before losing to Muhammad Ali in their legendary Rumble in the Jungle in 1974 in the then-African nation of Zaire, now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After failing to land another title shot, he retired after losing to Jimmy Young in 1977. Following what he referred to as a religious epiphany, Foreman became an ordained Christian minister. In 1987, he announced a comeback and, in Nov. 1994 at 45, he regained the Heavyweight Champion crown by knocking out 27-year-old Michael Moorer. He retired in 1997 at 48, with a final record of 76 wins and 5 losses, including 68 knockouts. I wrote this in my diary Oct. 30, 1974, the day after Foremans upset loss to Ali in that incredible Rumble in the Jungle: Two late-breaking news items. The first is, of course, Muhammad Alis stunning upset win over heavyweight champ George Foreman in Zaire, Africa yesterday. The few people with money on Ali are loaded down tonight. With that ol hindsight, its possible to understand how he did it. He always insisted he would. He trained long, hard and in social isolation for months, staying off the meat and fattening foods. Meanwhile, Foreman apparently trained hard but enjoyed the good life too. Thankfully, that cut over Foremans eye that forced a postponement a month ago didnt prove a factor in the fight. Ali didnt even go after it. If he had, and cut it again bad enough to halt the fight, like hes done so often before (Quarry, Cooper, Chuvalo come to mind), there would have been the inevitable cries of Phony Victory! The 8th Round KO Ali did accomplish left no doubters as to who is the best. Im happy he got his title back -- he was ripped off bad when it was stripped in 67. At 32, he stands at the top of the boxing world, just like he did as a 22-yr.-old that Feb. 25 in 1964. Where to now? Retirement would be the best. What can more be dramatic than last nights win? But knowing Alis need for the spotlight, Ill nix that hope. The other news item is former President Nixon is in critical condition, following phlebitis blood clot surgery. The man is broken, with little will to live. But hang on, Dick. When you go, who can we kick around? https://youtube/watch?v=7Ec-KhDbanc
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 01:58:51 +0000
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